You get the answer 0 because you're summing text values. ".95" is text, but
if you change the formula to
=IF(F2=1,0.95,IF(F2=2,0.75,IF(F2=3,0.45,IF(F2=4,0. 2)))) you will get numbers
which will give you a total when you sum them.

"thomasjefferson" wrote:

I'm trying to use a spreadsheet as a database for wedding invitations. In
column F, I have assigned each row (each individual guest) a value of 1, 2,
3, or 4 according to whether I judge they are definitely coming, probably,
possibly, or doubtful. In the next column (column G), I have successfully
managed to use the IF function to enter in each cell as a decimal number
between 0 and 1 the probability that that guest will come. Here is the
formula for the first cell in that column:
=IF(F2=1,".95",IF(F2=2,".75",IF(F2=3,".45",IF(F2=4 ,".2"))))

So far so good.

Here's the problem. When I try to sum column G, with the formula
=SUM(G2:G294), Excel insists that the answer is 0, even though I'm looking at
a column of 293 cells, all of which have one of four results in them (i.e.,
.95, .75, .45, or .2). When I sum column G by hand, I get a result of 222.6.

Please help me.