I would like a formula to calculate this as 2. 2 containers. Is there a way to do this?
Depends how the the data is stored and in what format..
But not knowing how that data is stored and in what format and answer will just be guess work.
Assuming excel ... you can use the native dedupe function in the Data ribbon and then COUNTA on the results.
and then sum the new column.
We'd need more information about your data and how it looks to give you a more specific answer.
As AlteK says, we'd need more information about your data and how it looks to give you a more specific answer.
However, here's another suggestion that might work.
Let's say your data is in A1:A20, with no blank cells.
A Dynamic Range Name will change it's length depending on how many rows of data are in the column.
Let's say you use the name "Container_Count"
This would allow you paste each new list of containers into Column A and update the count.