if, then statements and alpha variables

[jfav]

I want to have Excel return 1 if the value is e and -1 if the value is
w. I can do this with the logical IF statement if the variables are
numbers but it doesn't work if the variables are letters. any
suggestions?

 

[Dan E]

An IF should work

=IF(A1="e", 1, IF(A1="w", -1, "A1 is not e or w"))

Dan E

 

[Don Guillett]

Did you forget the quotes around e ?
=IF(D1="e",1,2)