automating entries?

[cef]

Is there a simple way to take a column and as i go down inputing peoples
names that it will automatically input the persons phone extension in the
cell next to it?
ex:

Bob 138
Mark 219
Phil 126
Tina 201

I am thinking I would need a macro to do this and was hoping someone could
point me in the right direction. ..Thanks

 

[Dave Peterson]

If you have a list somewhere (another worksheet) with name/extensions, you could
use an =vlookup() formula.

Debra Dalgleish explains how to use it:
http://www.contextures.com/xlFunctions02.html

If you don't have the list somewhere, you could apply Data|filter|autofilter to
that name list.

Then use the dropdown arrow to filter by each name (one at a time).
Then select the adjacent cells in that phone number column (all of these cells
have Bob in that row in the name column)
type the extension
but hit ctrl-enter to fill all the selected cells with that one entry.