how to simplify this long function in MS Excel

[kwfine]

Hi,
I am learning MS Excel.
I have written a function to count the number of students in a particular group:
=countif(A1:E1, F1)+countif(A1:A9, F2)+countif(A1:A9, F3)+countif(A1:A9, F4)
+countif(A1:A9, F5)+countif(A1:A9, F6)+countif(A1:A9, F7)+countif(A1:A9, F8)
+countif(A1:A9, F9)+countif(A1:A9, F10)+countif(A1:A9, F11)+countif(A1:A9, F12)
...
+countif(A1:A9, F37)+countif(A1:A9, F38)+countif(A1:A9, F39)+countif(A1:A9, F40)

it works but it looks so long and clumsy.
I would like to simplify it but I don't know how to.
Could you help me out please?

[davidoc]

I think I know what you are after but could you attach the worksheet so as i can see it please

[squall_01]

Couldn't you just use the crtl key an click the cells you want in the countif formula or is this how your to suppose to have it?