calculate a field based on value of another field

[dlb1228]

i have a column with race information in it for example

black 1
white 2
asian 3
white 2

i would like to calculate the field next to it to a number for example if
its black then put a 1 in the cell, or white = 2, asian = 3

 

[muddan madhu]

use Vlookup function

 

[Teethless mama]

=(A1="black")+(A1="white")*2+(A1="asian")*3