COUNTIFS with multiple ranges and one criterion

[ljenni55]

Does anyone know if there is a way to search multiple ranges using COUNTIFs but only one criterion without having to type the same criterion over and over?

Thanks!

 

[Drrellik]

if your criteria is a formula and long you can always tuck it away in a reference cell somewhere like AA1 and then your Countifs would be range1, AA1, range2, AA1, range3, AA1... and so on
but I am not sure you can do what you are asking.

 

[gaz_chops]

Can you give a better example of what you mean?

 

[ljenni55]

For example, if I wanted to search for "LJ" in multiple ranges of cells like A1:A4, B7:B13.