You can use other means, for instance if you want to get something that
starts with abc you that would be "abc*" in SUMIF
=SUMPRODUCT(--(LEFT(A2:A20,3)="abc"),B2:B20)
using right would be equivalent of "*abc"
another way equivalent of "*abc*" in sumif finding abc anywhere
=SUMPRODUCT(--(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("abc",A2:A20))),B2:B20)
change search to find and you'll get a case sensitive criteria
--
Regards,
Peo Sjoblom
Northwest Excel Solutions
www.nwexcelsolutions.com
(remove ^^ from email address)
Portland, Oregon