Set up a table somewhere in your spreadsheet (assume X1:Y40 on the
same sheet), made up of your list of names in column X and the
corresponding number in column Y. Then, if you enter your name in A2,
put this formula in B2:

=IF(A2="","",VLOOKUP(A2,X$1:Y$40,2,0))

The formula can be copied down column B for as many items as you are
likely to input in column A.

Hope this helps.

Pete


On May 29, 10:14 pm, Docmidnite
wrote:
I update a spread sheet with a name in one column that uses letters and
numbers and then manually put in a numeric value in the ajoining column. I'd
like to automate this process. I need to be able to search a list of 35-40
names and then have excel place a predefined number in the next column.