Would anyone be able to help me with a formula or macro or tell me
what I need to do?

I have a database with a several hundred entries that one of the
fields is a corresponding number to a menu selector.

I have to update the data regularly which comes to me by way of excel
spreadsheets.

The problem:

In the update feed, data comes as text. One of the columns that I am
updating constantly contains city names. So I get the feed with "Santa
Barbara". I need to change the cell contents to a number for that
particular city (322), before I upload it to the database. I can do it
manually, but it's hundreds of changes every other day or so.

I do have a master list that gives the city and code in excel format.

Is there a way to automate this process?

I am a basic excel user, and don't know any scripting techniques.

What I am hoping to do is open the master list, then the new feed,
then have excel look at the new info and insert the master values into
it from the master list.

Any suggestions, help is really appreciated.

Thank you,

Allen