SUMing values based on dropdown list in another column

Hello all, I have spent a long time looking for the answer to this question so I am hoping by posting here the answer will come to me.

Anyway, I keep track of business costs using Excel 2010 and I want to be able to autosum my expenses based on headings from a dropdown list. In column C I can select the type of expense (flights, accommodation, etc.) from the dropdown list. My cost for each flight, etc. is in column N. I want to be able to see may total cost for each heading on another worksheet. I have used the formula =IF(September!C:C="Flights","SUM:September!N:N","") but this just gives me a blank cell, does this formula need to be made cell specific in some way? i.e. is the logical test for my current formula looking at column C as a whole rather than individual cells? Basically, I want it to look at each individual cell in column C and sum values in column N based on the item selected from the dropdown menu in column C.

I will have the different payment methods (credit card, cash, cheque) in dropdown list in column D and also want to track total spends on each, I assume the same formula for above will work for this, just change column C to D?

Also, I will use Excel but may use a Google Spreadsheet instead, will the same formula work in Google?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Hi,

Please attached the excel file. It will help us solving the problem.

regards

taps

Thank you for the replies, it is doing what I want it to do now. The formula I am using is =SUMIF(September!C:C,"Flights",September!N:N) (I have my costs in a worksheet called September and my totals are going to a Summary worksheet).

Thanks again for the replies.