counta formula

[Manoharal]

I have to count the number of entries in a given range of cells. e.g. cell a1 to a50 (excluding the blanks). The first cell ref i.e. a1 would remain the same and the rest should progress one by one i..e. counta(a1:a1), counta (a1:a2), counta(a1:a3) and so on. I manually entered upto 5 to 6 cells and selected all and dragged the box to following rows. But excel is updating both the values. I just want the second ref to be updated as I progress. How can I do this? Please help.

 

[VoG]

Try

=COUNTA(A$1:A1)

and drag down.

 

[Peter_SSs]

Try making the first formula:
=COUNTA(A$1:A1)

The $ sign will lock the '1' in that first reference. Then copy/drag the formula down.

 

[Manoharal]

Thanks a lot to both of you. It works.