IF, THEN scenario (I think) help, please... Thanks!

**Micherie** · 06-10-2012, 04:27 PM

Hi,

I've just made a large list of data (all on one sheet) with four columns of info pertaining to each item in the list. The entire spreadsheet is formatted as text. I am now trying to create a calculator that will pull data from one of those columns based on the item chosen. For example:

This is a small sample of my list:

ITEM PROT CARB FATS CALORIES
Pineapple 5 5 5 15
Berries 8 8 8 24
Yogurt 3 3 3 9
Granola 4 4 4 12

What I want to achieve:

I am trying to be able to select random items that make up a recipe and have the calorie totals list out so I can get grand total calories for the entire recipe.

Basically.....

If I want to make a 'meal' of pineapple, granola and yogurt and find the total of the three, I want to go to a cell, type in pineapple and have 15 show up in the next cell automatically and I want to be able to do that with all three, or as many ingredients required to make a 'meal' or 'recipe' so that the totals show up and can be grand totaled at the bottom.

Hope that's not as clear as mud.

I tried using an "IF/THEN" scenario but I couldn't make it work. Such as.... "IF" I tell the new cell to equal the text in the cell that says Pineapple, "THEN" 15 shows up in the adjacent cell. And so on for each item in the list.

Help is greatly appreciated!!

**Cutter** · 06-10-2012, 04:31 PM

Have a look at the VLOOKUP() function. Here's a link: http://www.excelfunctions.net/ExcelVlookup.html

**FDibbins** · 06-10-2012, 05:37 PM

try the attached. It uses data validation to make sure you enter/spell the food type right - add new items in the left table, select items from the right table. I took all ranges down to row 200, so if your list gets longer than that, you will have to extend them.

let me know if this something you can work with or if you have any other questions?

**Micherie** · 06-10-2012, 05:38 PM

Hi,

Thanks for that!! You've got me on the right track and Example 1 should, in theory, do exactly what I am looking for, however I cannot get it to work. UGH. What might I be doing wrong??? Is it because my entire sheet is formatted as text?

Thanks,
Michele

**Micherie** · 06-10-2012, 05:45 PM

Hi again... I just answered my own question. YES, it was because my formula column was formatted as 'Text'. I changed it to 'General' and voila!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!