Refrencing cell value for Sum if formula

[starrsuper]

Hello Experts,

need a help i am having count value in Column A and respective strings in column B
need to find the total count value in Column A if the column B has starts with matching string.
used the below formula
=sumif(b2:b245,ACT*,A2:A245)
and got the result.
now i am having a string in J column and refence the cell value in the above formula but i cant use * symbol over there to match string.
suggestions much appreciated
=sumif(b2:b245,$j$2,A2:A245)

 

[Takae]

J2 = ACT ?
=SUMIF(B2:B1245,J2&"*",A2:A245)

 

[starrsuper]

thanks Takae,it worked