Think VLOOKUP would be simplest way ..

Set-up the reference table, say in Sheet2's A1:B3

1 apple
2 oranges
3 lemons
(etc)

Then in say, Sheet1, if the numbers are listed in A1 down,
you could put in B1: =IF(A1="","",VLOOKUP(A1,Sheet2!A:B,2,0))
and just copy B1 down

Alternatively, we could also have a "standalone" reference table within the
VLOOKUP (provided it's just a small table - from the maintenance angle)

Try also in say, C1:
=IF(A1="","",VLOOKUP(A1,{1,"apple";2,"oranges";3," lemons"},2,0))
and copy C1 down

Both cols B & C would return the same results for the sample table
--
Rgds
Max
xl 97
---
GMT+8, 1° 22' N 103° 45' E
xdemechanik <atyahoo<dotcom
----
<goseespam@lot wrote in message
...
How can I express this?

Assume 2 columns, A and B.
In A, a col of numbers: 1, 2, 3, etc.
In B, now empty, I need to have a col of words that describe in words
what the numbers stand for: apples (for No 1), oranges (for No2),
lemons (for No 3), etc.

I already have the col with the numbers, Column A. I need a way to
tell Excel to fill in col B with the word "apple" wherever it sees a
"1" in col A. And to fill in col B with the word "oranges" whereever
it sees the number "2" in col A. etc, etc.

Is this do-able?

Best Regards,

Arthur