how to sum contents 2 separate columns with text

[nvega]

I am trying to sum the number of cells with text or any values in them across 2 separate columns.

So in the attachment, I'm looking to add any values in ranges (A3:A409) and (D3:D409) and calculate the sum in cell D1

[#2]

I'm not sure what you're trying to calculate. The total number of cells in A and D containing something?

[#3]

Yes in the ranges provided for each column (excluding the top 2 header rows).

@Jan Karel Pieterse 

[#4 · Accepted solution]

The COUNTA function counts the number of non-empty cells in a range, so a formula like this one should do it:
=COUNTA(A3:A40)+COUNTA(D3:D40)

[#5]

@Jan Karel Pieterse perfect! worked thank you :)