Converting characters to numbers

[Robbie aka Zoqaeski :p]

G'day all
I'd like to know if there is a way to convert characters/letters (A-Z) into
numbers/values of my own choice in Excel, using either formulas, macros
(functions) or otherwise. Any ideas?
Cheers,
Robbie aka Zoqaeski

 

[Arvi Laanemets]

Hi

On some sheet, p.e. List, create a list of characters with corresponding
numbers in next column. Let you have this table in range List!A1:B25.

Now, when you have on some sheet a character in cell, p.e. A2, the
corresponding number is retrieved with formula
=VLOOKUP(A2,List!$A$1:$B$25,2,0)
(Whenever you edit the table on sheet List, all corresponding numbers are
recalculated, of course!)

 

[Robbie aka Zoqaeski :p]

Thanks for that, Arvi, but this formula of yours does not like 0 (zero), for
some reason, and I need to be able to use it, because what I am trying to
develop is a check digit calculator for railway vehicles.

 

[Arvi Laanemets]

Hi

What do you mean with 'does not like 0 (zero)'. Is this 0 in column with
lookup values (characters), or in return values (numbers), or in condition
cell. And what does the formula do, when this 0 occurrs, and what you want
it to do. There is a lot of combinations of to consider of, so I can't help
you without further information.