how can text be set up to generate a number?

i would like to a word generate a number, i.e.> enter "apples"in one cell and
excel generate "352" in a different cell for items like inventory.

Basically

You will need to set up a 'Lookup' table somewhere with

Apples 352

In two columns. Complete this for all entries and then if you are going to
enter 'Apples' on another sheet in A1 then in A2 enter

=VLOOKUP(A1,Your_Lookup_Range_Address,2,FALSE)

--
HTH
Nick Hodge
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Southampton, England
[email protected]HIS


"jwmaes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>i would like to a word generate a number, i.e.> enter "apples"in one cell
>and
> excel generate "352" in a different cell for items like inventory.

Hi jwmaes

You can use Vlookup

Make a list in a other sheets with the text and the number in the column next to it.
And use this list in your Vlookup formula

See the Excel help for examples


--
Regards Ron de Bruin
http://www.rondebruin.nl



"jwmaes" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>i would like to a word generate a number, i.e.> enter "apples"in one cell and
> excel generate "352" in a different cell for items like inventory.

As Ron and Nick suggested, you can use a VLOOKUP formula to return the
number. There are instructions and examples here that may help you get
started:

http://www.contextures.com/xlFunctions02.html

jwmaes wrote:
> i would like to a word generate a number, i.e.> enter "apples"in one cell and
> excel generate "352" in a different cell for items like inventory.


--
Debra Dalgleish
Excel FAQ, Tips & Book List
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html