COUNTIFS problem

[javajoemorgan]

This is my countifs function:

=COUNTIFS(Oct2009!$AV$2:$BG$3009,$A2,Oct2009!$AV$2:$BG$3009,E$1)

Either one of these works. That is:

=COUNTIFS(Oct2009!$AV$2:$BG$3009)

produces 110 and

=COUNTIFS(Oct2009!$AV$2:$BG$3009,E$1)

produces 2295

I was thinking those combined criteria would count the matches in the 2nd formula agaist those of the first, or at least, that's the way I interpret the docs.

Am I clear enough?