You can create a drop-down list of the months for the user to select from
and have the month number appear in a cell. You will need a list of dates, a
linked cell for the drop-down and a formula in the cell where you want the
month number.
The important part is to make your list actual dates and then format the
list to display the month's name.
Make your list the first day of each month:
1/1/2007
2/1/2007
etc..
Then format your list as:
"mmm" (displays Jan)
"mmmm" (displays January)
Now create a drop-down box and refer to your list as the List Fill Range
Make a linked cell right next to your list (leave format as General)
Finally, where you want the month number to appear put this formula:
=MONTH(P13)
where P13 is the linked cell.

Mike F
"Newatit" wrote in message
...
What would be the basic approach to creating a monthly lookup table that
would allow the user to select the text value for the month and return the
numerical value to the cell.
Can this be done solely within excel or does it involve interaction with
something such as VB?

Thanks