My suggestion is to use a Pivot Table. They are very powerful and simple to
use. More help is available he
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/pivots.htm

Regards,
Fred

"jcheko" wrote in message
...
I need a spreadsheet that updates a master list I have in another sheet in
the same workbook that updates itself once I have made a change to the
master
list. for example:

master list:

rcp 24" 300 lf
mh 5' 1 ea
inlet type R 2 ea
rcp 24" 50 lf
inlet type R 4 ea
mh 4' 2 ea
mh 5' 5 ea
rcp 30" 300 lf

summary list:
rcp 24" 350 lf
rcp 30" 300 lf
mh 5' 6 ea
mh 4' 2 ea
inlet type R 6 ea

and if I make a change to the master the summary should be able to update
the add or the material I deleted....any suggestions?....thanks.