Counting separate occurrences

[Pem90]

I need to count the separate occasions that something occurs. For example, instead of counting the number of 'A's and returning the number 3, it would count the first two 'A's as one instance and the third 'A' as the second instance and return a number of 2. Is this possible?

 

[Fluff]

Hi & welcome to MrExcel.

What version of Excel are you using?

I suggest that you update your Account details (or click your user name at the top right of the forum) so helpers always know what Excel version(s) & platform(s) you are using as the best solution often varies by version. (Don’t forget to scroll down & ‘Save’)

 

[Fluff]

How about like

=SUM(SIGN(FREQUENCY(IF(D2:M2="A",COLUMN(D2:M2)),IF(D2:M2<>"A",COLUMN(D2:M2)))))