countifs and dynamic ranges don't work when using multiple criteria

[hgeorges]

Hello;

I'm using Excel 2010.

I have a large spreadsheet, where I want to use two columns in a countifs function. (count specific rows which meet certain date and value criteria)

I've created two dynamic range names for the respective two columns:

CategList=OFFSET('Query3 update-by res date'!$P$2,0,0,COUNTA('Query3 update-by res date'!$P:$P))
CreateDate=OFFSET('Query3 update-by res date'!$M$2,0,0,COUNT('Query3 update-by res date'!$M:$M))

and independently each appears to work; both lists have the same height (number of rows, and none is zero)
Note that I had to change to COUNTA the first range definition, because it was not working with COUNT.

used separately
=Countifs(CategList,"=2") works and returns a numerical value (changed 2 to other numbers and it counted each time the rows meeting the criteria)
similarly
=countifs(CreateDate,"<1/1/2013") works and returns a numerical value (here again, I verified changing the date that each time the list was operating correctly)

however, when used together:
=countifs(CreateDate,"<1/1/2013",CategList,"=2") returns #Value!

I could not figure out where I have a problem... Please help!