The best way to go depends on how many variables you have, and if you're
*really* using 1, 2, 3, ... etc.

For example:

=CHOOSE(A1,"Apples","Oranges","Lemons","Pears","Pl ums")

Will return either of these 5 items if A1 contains either number, from 1 to
5.

If your slate of items is larger, you may find a data list easier to manage,
in conjunction with something like one of the lookup functions.

Post back if you would like to try another option.
--
HTH,

RD
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Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit!
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<goseespam@lot wrote in message
...
How can I express this?

Assume 2 columns, A and B.
In A, a col of numbers: 1, 2, 3, etc.
In B, now empty, I need to have a col of words that describe in words
what the numbers stand for: apples (for No 1), oranges (for No2),
lemons (for No 3), etc.

I already have the col with the numbers, Column A. I need a way to
tell Excel to fill in col B with the word "apple" wherever it sees a
"1" in col A. And to fill in col B with the word "oranges" whereever
it sees the number "2" in col A. etc, etc.

Is this do-able?

Best Regards,

Arthur