Need to COUNTIF several numbers exist in a column of data

[Jennifre]

I have a column of data (A) like this:
1111
1231
1333
1112
1121
1122
1311
1333

And I have sets of these numbers which need to be COUNTIF'd they match each of the sets, for example:
1111, 1112
1221, 1321, 2432
3131, 2323

I need to get the total from column A of each set of the longer numbers. I tried using a COUNTIF like this
=COUNTIF(A$2:A$127,1111)
BUT, when I add the comma to add the next set, Excel is converting the number into 11,111,112 rather than allowing the COUNTIF function to COUNTIF both of those (1111, 1112) exist in column A. And the function breaks by adding the other numbers separated by a comma. So I need to know how to tell this formula to look for the SET of these numbers in column A.

How can I do this? Thanks SO much for your help!!

 

[Ron Coderre]

You need to put the two values to be matched in an array, then sum the results.
Try this regular formula:
=SUM(COUNTIF(A$2:A$127,{1111,1112}))

Does that help?

 

[Jennifre]

Hi, thank you. That didn't seem to work though. I got "0" as a result, and the real count is something maybe like 45. True true, I could likely do this [at this point] faster just counting, but I want to understand the syntax of the formula's language. I wonder what else I could try.... Thank you though, Ron!

 

[Ron Coderre]

A count of 0 indicates that there are no matches. Select one of the cells that you believe should match and check if it has any invisible leading or trailing characters. Let us know what you find.

 

[Jennifre]

Hi, thank you again. Well... these numbers are a calculation determined by a loooong formula in the cells creating these numbers. I can give you an example of that formula if it helps:

=(DC127*1000)+(DD127*100)+(DE127*10)+(DF127*1)

But, no one "entered" anything into these cells but for Mr Excel Formula, so I imagine there are no invisible characters. (And, I can see the numbers I'm trying to count, so I know they're there, pesky critters!)

 

[Ron Coderre]

Ok...try this:
• Select one of the cells you believe is a match.
• Press F2...Press F9
That will calculate the result.
(If you see something like 1111.00009237 then you'll need to use one of the rounding functions: INT, ROUND, ROUNDUP, etc.)

• Press ESC to see the formula again