Sum non-consecutive cells matching pre-set value

Hello,

I'm normally fairly good with formulae but this one's stumped me and I'd be grateful of any help/ideas. I'm trying to get the worksheet to sum the total of all items in column A for which the value in column B matchs a pre-set value. To give this a practical edge, the spreadsheet contains details of expenses claims by four people: the amount is contained in column A and the name of the claimant in column B. I am trying to get a formula so that will show the total claimed by each person.

A sample spreadsheet showing what I'm trying to achieve is attached - I basically am aiming to get sub totals in the cells indicated.

Many thanks!

try sumif

sumif(B:B,"person1",a:A)

Regards

Dav

Works a treat, thank you!

Can anyone reccommend a good source of tutorial-type information on using the sumif command, had no idea how the B:B column selection worked for example?

Many thanks once again.