title: Count number of cells in a range that match the content of a different cell
body: <p>I am trying to use <code>COUNTIF</code> in Excel to find how many items in a range match the contents of a separate cell. The idea is, the range contains everyone's answers to a given question (a one-word, non-numeric answer); the comparison column contains the correct answer. I want a count of how many people got the answer correct. </p>
  
  <p>I tried: <code>=COUNTIF(C16:BT16,"=BU16")</code></p>
  
  <p>But it appears <code>COUNTIF</code> won't let me reference a cell with the criteria in it -- it requires the match criteria directly in the formula, such as <code>=COUNTIF(C16:BT16,"DEN")</code>. I can do that, of course, but I'd have to edit dozens of formulas every time I evaluate answers, and it would be much less timeconsuming if I could just enter the answers in column BU. </p>
  
  <p>I also tried <code>COUNTIFS</code>; it allows multiple criteria, but also doesn't allow referencing the criteria to a different cell. Searched several different Excel websites too, any suggestions? Many thanks! </p>