I ASSUME Q is not a named variable and hence should be a cell address:

Try (and copy down your column if required):

=IF(Q1="Disastrous",1,(IF(Q1="Unacceptable",2,(IF( Q1="Undesirable",3,(IF(Q1="Neutral",4,(IF(Q1="Acce ptable",5,(IF(Q1="Preferred",6,0)))))))))))

HTH

"CBZ" wrote:

I seem to not be able to figure out the following formula. I am trying to
have the formula give back ascribed #'s per text value, if no text =0. Can
anyone help.
=IF(Q="Disastrous",1,(IF(Q="Unacceptable",2,(IF(Q= "Undesirable",3,(IF(Q="Neutral",4,(IF(Q="Acceptabl e",5,(IF(Q="Preferred",6)))))))))))