Re: Excel / COUNTA function is not working properly

[CRPence <CRPbottle@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 18-Nov-2013 08:22 -0800, Vidal, Peter wrote:
> I downloaded data from a DB2 file to a spreadsheet.  I am trying to
> use the COUNTA function to detect how many asterisks "*" I have in a
> column.  In this column I am supposed to have asterisks or blanks.  I
> have 1772 rows and when I execute the function, is returning 1772 as
> the count so I know that the apparent blanks are not really that.
> How can I improve the function so I can count the number of asterisks
> only and not count those "invisible strings" I am downloading?
>
> I am using ODBC connections to refresh the data on the spreadsheet
> automatically, so the downloaded data can be different from time to
> time.

  So as to make my reply to the topic relevant to this forum...

  Why not have the DB2 for i database effect the counting?  Download a 
VIEW with the necessary scalar\aggregate expression(s) to effect the 
required counting.