Count least frequently occurring text

This tutorial shows how to count the least frequently occurring text using an Excel formula, with the INDEX, MATCH, MIN and COUNTIF functions

EXCEL FORMULA 1. Count least frequently occurring text

EXCEL

Count least frequently occurring text

=COUNTIF(B5:B9,INDEX(B5:B9,MATCH(MIN(COUNTIF(B5:B9,B5:B9)),COUNTIF(B5:B9,B5:B9),0)))
GENERIC FORMULA

=COUNTIF(range,INDEX(range,MATCH(MIN(COUNTIF(range,range)),COUNTIF(range,range),0)))

ARGUMENTS
range: The range from which to count the least frequently occurring text.

EXPLANATION

This formula uses a combination of the INDEX, MATCH, MIN and COUNTIF functions to count the least frequently occurring text from a specified range. Given that this is an array formula, once the formula is entered you are required to press Ctrl + Shift + Enter at the same time, which will enclose the formula in { } signs.

In this example the text "yellow" appears twice and "blue" appears three times in the selected range (B5:B9). Therefore, this formula returns a number of 2 as this is the number of times text "yellow" appears in the range.

RELATED TOPICS

Related Topic Description Related Topic and Description
How to return the most frequently occurring text
How to count the most frequently occurring text
How to extract the least frequently occurring text

RELATED FUNCTIONS

Related Functions Description Related Functions and Description
The Excel COUNTIF function returns the number of cells in a range that meet a specified criteria
The Excel INDEX function returns a value that is referenced from a specified range
The Excel MATCH function searches for a specified value in a range and returns its position relative to the range
The Excel MIN function returns the smallest value from a specified range of numeric values