Maybe this:

=2-(COUNTIF(A$2:A$10,A2)1)

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Rachel" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Column A Column B

John = return value of 1, if matches, else 2
John
Smith
Bob

I like to have a formula in column b, if item in A1, "John" matches
any item in column A, then show value of #1, else, #2

Any help?

THANKS!