Adding what I have done in case anybody is interested. This solution requires two columns to work to determine ISVISIBLE(A1). Let's first replace A1 by the word CELL

Your method to determine ISVISIBLE(CELL): Column B = 1 (seriously, all values should be 1), Column C = SUBTOTAL(9,CEL).

Say Row#2 is where the headings reside: A2 = "Country"; B2 = "Just1"; C2 = "IsVISIBLECount"

Say Row 3 is hidden while Row 4 is not

Row 3 (row hidden): B3 = 1; C3 = SUBTOTAL(9,B3) --> result is 0

Row 4 (row not hidden): B4 = 1; C4SUBTOTAL(9,B4) --> result is 0