In B1 enter
+IF(A1="","",IF
LEFT(A1,2)="av","avsp",IF(LEFT(A1,1)="a","act",IF( LEFT(A1,1)="h","hp",""))))


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HTH

Kassie

Replace xxx with hotmail


"scootr" wrote:

A B
1 a20


I want cell B1 to read "act" if A1 begins with an "a"
or
B1 reads "avsp" if A1 begins with an "av"
or
B1 reads "hp" if A1 begins with an "h"

(the numbers in column A will always be different but the first two letters
will always be either "a", "av", or "h")

Can somebody help me out on a formula please?