Creating a unique code for each variable (importing into SPSS)

I was wondering if anyone could explain to me how to carry though with this process/ formulae in Excel 2011. I currently have numerous columns of data, with Column A containing names of locations (i.e. A1 = CITY NAME, A2 = City1, etc.. A15 = City14), and column B with no information, just a label in B1 called CITY CODE. The process I am suppose to carry through with was sent to me in an email stating that I must:

"in the Excel file you can put the city name under the name variable but then you need a separate variable which contains a unique code for each city. each city might have a code already, or you can create your own, but it must be a number only"

Now, I thought I could just create a =VLOOKUP, but I am not sure if a =VLOOKUP formulae would transfer into SPSS properly. I also thought I could use the =IF formulae.. but again I am not sure if these would transfer over properly into SPSS.

What I simply did was put numbers 1-14 down the B column across from the name.. in my mind assigning it my own code haha.. I don't think this is right though.

What I want is to simply type in 13 in a cell and BAM get the name for cell A14.. Is this possible without VLOOKUP or IF.. if those are even the right formulae?

I know excel doesn't work like this, but what I want is A2=1, A3=2, so when I type in 1, I get A2. This could totally be wrong for importing into SPSS, I just can't see it in any other way. For those unaware, SPPS is a statistical program.. and in SPSS you cannot have any text data only numeric.. and as such you need to have all text coded to numeric values or "codes" so in the program, a 1=yes, 2=no, 3=no answer for survey type stat stuff for ex.

Thanks.

Hi, welcome to the forum

This sounds like a homework assignment?