Median If searching for characters within text

[DLAhr]

I have a median if statement that works as long as the text I'm searching for is exact --> {=median(if(C:C="DQ",I:I))}
My problem is that column C has some cells that contain other characters besides D & Q, and I would like to count them, too -- for instance "DEQ" or "ADEQ", etc.
I'd like to magically change my equal sign to a "contains" sign or use asterisk's, but that is impossible.
Is there a solution or am I doomed?

 

[Rick Rothstein]

I have a median if statement that works as long as the text I'm searching for is exact --> {=median(if(C:C="DQ",I:I))}
My problem is that column C has some cells that contain other characters besides D & Q, and I would like to count them, too -- for instance "DEQ" or "ADEQ", etc.

As long as the "D" will always come before the "Q" (like all your examples show), you could use this array-entered** formula...

=MEDIAN(IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("D*Q",C:C)),F:F))

**Commit this formula using CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER and not just Enter by itself

 

[DLAhr]

Thanks Rick, that worked famously. Yes, the letters are always listed alphabetically.