Excel 2007 : IF formulas: possible to use variables?

**Tsuchigo** · 03-09-2011, 11:39 AM

Hello wise excel masters!

I had a formula issue I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me with. Long story cut to a medium one: the shop I work at is starting to do a group lottery thing. In total, there will be roughly 250 sets of 6 numbers that I want to compare to the actual winning number. What I'm trying to do is say: if lottery number 1 equals actual number 1, then x=x+1 then, in the end, I would want to have it check what x equals, and display a number depending on that value. I can figure out the IF conditions necessary, but I do not know how, or if it's possible, to use an x value to keep track of the total matching numbers. Any insight would be appreciated. And if this is possible - will the x value be specific to that cell? Or would it add from every cell, making the value be much higher than intended?

Thank you ahead of time for any help
-Tsuchi ^_^

**ConneXionLost** · 03-09-2011, 12:43 PM

Hi,

How about using the COUNTIF function?

Cheers,

**Tsuchigo** · 03-09-2011, 03:44 PM

That's an interesting function! The problem with that is the requirement of ranges. For example, the winning numbers would be in a2:f2, and the numbers we need to compare against in a6:f6. If I were to put =COUNTIF(a2:f2, a6f6) would it compare the respective cells and give me a total that match? I'm not at a computer that I can test this against right now

Would I be able to use the IF condition in an equation? For example "=(IF(a2 = a6, 1, 0)) + (IF(b2 = b6, 1, 0))" - assuming both conditions are true, would that return a value of 2? Or would it simply slap me with an error?

**ConneXionLost** · 03-09-2011, 04:00 PM

Maybe it would be best if you attached a sample spreadsheet so we can see what you're trying to describe.

"A picture is worth a thousand words!"

**Tsuchigo** · 03-09-2011, 04:25 PM

Alrighty, when I get home I'll hop on and attach a rough idea of what I'm going for.

**Tsuchigo** · 03-09-2011, 10:20 PM

I was able to figure out how to do what I wanted using IF condition in a formula - I'll attach the file in case peoples were interested what I was trying to convey.

Specifically Row H contains the formula I was trying to figure out. Thanks much for the input!