why don't you try use sumif formula?
SUMIF
See Also

Adds the cells specified by a given criteria.

Syntax

SUMIF(range,criteria,sum_range)

Range is the range of cells you want evaluated.

Criteria is the criteria in the form of a number, expression, or text that
defines which cells will be added. For example, criteria can be expressed as
32, "32", "32", "apples".

Sum_range are the actual cells to sum. The cells in sum_range are summed
only if their corresponding cells in range match the criteria. If sum_range
is omitted, the cells in range are summed.

Remark

Microsoft Excel provides additional functions that can be used to analyze
your data based on a condition. For example, to count the number of
occurrences of a string of text or a number within a range of cells, use the
COUNTIF function. To have a formula return one of two values based on a
condition, such as a sales bonus based on a specified sales amount, use the
IF worksheet function. Learn about calculating a value based on a condition.

Example

Suppose A1:A4 contain the following property values for four homes:
$100,000, $200,000, $300,000, $400,000, respectively. B1:B4 contain the
following sales commissions on each of the corresponding property values:
$7,000, $14,000, $21,000, $28,000.

SUMIF(A1:A4,"160000",B1:B4) equals $63,000

Eva


"Bill_S" wrote:

On sheet A I have an accounting-style worksheet with the category heading in
bold (column A) and then the list of itemized expenses with a total at the
bottom (labels in column A, figures in column B.) Then another category
follows laid out the same way and another, etc.

On sheet B I have a list of all the category names next to which I need to
show the totals of each category (from sheet A.) I assume a lookup function
or functions would be used but I don't know how to structure the formula to
match on the category name in sheet A and then follow down to the total row
and return the total figure in the cell in column B.