I am not sure how to get the results I am looking for, and if it is better to
use an if statement or a lookup funtcion (which I have never used before).

Data Information:
Column "AO" contains one of 5 names
Based on looking at these names, I want a formula that puts one of 5
corresponding intials in column BA.

Any formula suggestions would be truly appreciated!!

We need some rules, what decides which initials go into column BA? you say
colmn AO contains one of 5 names, so does AO contain only 1 name? or does it
have many names that are from a pool of 5?
--
-John
Please rate when your question is answered to help us and others know what
is helpful.


"Diane" wrote:

I am not sure how to get the results I am looking for, and if it is better to
use an if statement or a lookup funtcion (which I have never used before).

Data Information:
Column "AO" contains one of 5 names
Based on looking at these names, I want a formula that puts one of 5
corresponding intials in column BA.

Any formula suggestions would be truly appreciated!!

I'll try to illustrate more clearly. Column AO is a long list within a
spreadsheet database of over 300 entries. I want Column BA to display the
appropriate initials. So if AO had Jane Doe, or Jane Doe, LCSW, column BA's
formula would yield the answer JD.

Example:
Column AO Column BA
Jane Doe JD
Sally Smith, LMSW SS
Bob Brown BB
Sue White, LCSW SW
Mary Jane, LMSW MJ
Mary Jane MJ
Bob Brown, LCSW-R BB
Jane Doe, LCSW JD
Sally Smith SS

Is there a formula that can do this? Please let me know if you need any
further info to assist in helping me, and thank you for responding so quickly
to my original post.

"John Bundy" wrote:

We need some rules, what decides which initials go into column BA? you say
colmn AO contains one of 5 names, so does AO contain only 1 name? or does it
have many names that are from a pool of 5?
--
-John
Please rate when your question is answered to help us and others know what
is helpful.


"Diane" wrote:

I am not sure how to get the results I am looking for, and if it is better to
use an if statement or a lookup funtcion (which I have never used before).

Data Information:
Column "AO" contains one of 5 names
Based on looking at these names, I want a formula that puts one of 5
corresponding intials in column BA.

Any formula suggestions would be truly appreciated!!

Try this in column BA:

=left(ao1,1)&left(find(" ",ao1)+1,1)

Copy down as required

Regards,
Fred.

"Diane" wrote in message
...
I'll try to illustrate more clearly. Column AO is a long list within a
spreadsheet database of over 300 entries. I want Column BA to display the
appropriate initials. So if AO had Jane Doe, or Jane Doe, LCSW, column
BA's
formula would yield the answer JD.

Example:
Column AO Column BA
Jane Doe JD
Sally Smith, LMSW SS
Bob Brown BB
Sue White, LCSW SW
Mary Jane, LMSW MJ
Mary Jane MJ
Bob Brown, LCSW-R BB
Jane Doe, LCSW JD
Sally Smith SS

Is there a formula that can do this? Please let me know if you need any
further info to assist in helping me, and thank you for responding so
quickly
to my original post.

"John Bundy" wrote:

We need some rules, what decides which initials go into column BA? you
say
colmn AO contains one of 5 names, so does AO contain only 1 name? or does
it
have many names that are from a pool of 5?
--
-John
Please rate when your question is answered to help us and others know
what
is helpful.


"Diane" wrote:

I am not sure how to get the results I am looking for, and if it is
better to
use an if statement or a lookup funtcion (which I have never used
before).

Data Information:
Column "AO" contains one of 5 names
Based on looking at these names, I want a formula that puts one of 5
corresponding intials in column BA.

Any formula suggestions would be truly appreciated!!

Does the formula below work for you?

=LEFT(AO1,1)&MID(AO1,FIND(" ",AO1)+1,1)

THANKS! It worked perfectly!!

"dan dungan" wrote:

Does the formula below work for you?

=LEFT(AO1,1)&MID(AO1,FIND(" ",AO1)+1,1)