You could use the SUMIF function. Check Excel's Help on SUMIF.

Or you could a pivot table. Debra Dalgleish's excellent Contextures site has
instructions & lots of tips:
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html
http://peltiertech.com/Excel/Pivots/pivotstart.htm

SUMPRODUCT or an array formula could also be used, but I recommend SUMIF.

Hope this helps,

Hutch

"V" wrote:

hi can anyone tell me how to find the total spent on stationery, members, and
arts?

03/01/09 Stationery 20
06/01/09 Members 32
06/01/09 Arts 25
09/01/09 Stationery 36
10/01/09 Arts 24
12/01/09 Members 72
16/01/09 Members 40
21/01/09 Stationery 25
23/01/09 Arts 22