Try the SUMIF function:

=SUMIF(A1:A3,"Apples",B1:B3)

HTH,
Elkar


"Ben" wrote:

how do you add up a series of numbers in one column using a critera of
another column?

Column A Column B
Apples 1,112
Pears 1,548
Apples 2,544

What is the total number of apples...??? What is the right formula

if(a1:a3=Apples then add B 1:b3)