"galiant" wrote in message
...
That seems to make sense, I am not sure the difference between the first
and
second formula. in " =if(a2="bob",1,2)" what does the "1,2" mean?

I suggest you look at Excel's help for the IF() function.

If the condition is true then the answer is 1, whereas if the condition is
false the answer is 2.
--
David Biddulph