Very different problem!
With just four states we would get away with
=IF(C2="Y",C$1&",","")&IF(D2="Y",D$1&",","")&IF(E2 ="Y",E$1&",","")&IF(F2="Y",F$1&",","")
We would need some way to remove the final comma
Clearly with 50 states, the formula would grow to become unmanageable

I think a VBA approach is the only answer. As your ready to enter that
universe?
best wishes
--
Bernard V Liengme
Microsoft Excel MVP
http://people.stfx.ca/bliengme
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"Jennifer" wrote in message
...
Each state has its own column, 50 columns in all. I would like to, lets
say,
in column B, have the states that = "Y" in column B.

Example:
columns B C D E F
Row 1 AL AZ CA DE
Row 2 AL, CA, DE Y N Y Y
Row 3 AZ,CA N Y Y N



"Bernard Liengme" wrote:

Assuming states in A, yes-no in B
Insert new B column (right click the B heading and use Insert)
Now Y/N are in column C
In B1 =IF(C1="Y",A1,"") and copy this down the column
The quick way to do the copy is to double click B1's fill handle which is
the small black square in lower right corner when call is selected.
That is a pair of double-quotes " with nothing between them
If you want to pick up that list and use elsewhere, you can change the
formula to text: select all of the entries in B; use Copy; with them
still
selected use Edit | Paste Special with Vales specified
best wishes
--
Bernard V Liengme
Microsoft Excel MVP
http://people.stfx.ca/bliengme
remove caps from email

"Jennifer" wrote in message
...
If I have 51 columns,each column is a state and each row has a status
for
each state, "Y" or "N", is there a way I can insert a column prior to
first
state column that could pull which state has a "Y" and list in the new
column
?