Counting data only contains text (ignore mark "-" & "")

hi all,

i need excel formula to count data with ignore mark "-" and "" (empty/blank cell), only counting text;
like this below ;

-----value---------
john
mike
-
sisca
-
blank cell
blank cell
-
jordan782
----------------
4 (expected result)

how dot it?

thank in advance...

john m

hi ratcat, it work for me, but i have question how do it if the data is number?

for this, ..

hajhs
7812
-
blank
gags12
812

hi Tony. it's excellent...
that's exactly for me...

many thanks...