Calculating value based on a category

[snix]

Here is my problem:

e.g.
A B
Peter 3
Mike 6
John 5
Peter 3
John 2
Jane 1

Column 'A' has names, 'B' has associated values.
What formula do I use that will automatically calculate the value for John
for example?

Please help - I'm desperate!

Thanks

PW

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
try
=SUMIF(A1:A20,"John",B1:B20)