I need to calculate and return a number in a cell based on the value in a
given cloumn. Here is what I need.

I have several packages waiting for return labels to be e-mailed. In column
L, if the package had a return label attached, the tracking number is
entered in the corrisponding cell (row X column L).

If the package did not have a return label attached "Waiting For Return
Label" is entered in (row X column L). I tried to figure out a conditional
formula that would add "1" to a cell for each value of "Waiting For Return
Label" but was unsuccessful.

Then I looked at VLOOKUP which might do what I need but I know next to
nothing about how to format VLOOKUP to make it work. Would someone who knows
Excel far better than me lend a hand.

Thanx