drop down list and adding numeric values to text

[Guest]

I am creating a table with several drop down lists (e.g., yes/no/maybe). I
would like to assign numeric values to each text (no = 0, yes = 1, etc.) so
that I can sum across several columns. How do you
a) assign numeric values to drop-down text
b) sum across several columns of drop down text to come up with a single
number?

I cannot figure it out! I"ve been able to figure out how to make one
column's text translate to numeric value, For example: =IF(B4="yes", 1, 0)
but I can't get all of the columns across row 4 to total! Please help!

 

[Dave O]

Could you possibly use the COUNTIF() function, and forego the
requirement of assigning a value to occurences of yes and no? This
would just count the number of "yes" occurences in the range you
specify.

 

[Guest]

if you use a forms toolbar combo box the linked cell returns a number for the
choice ie if your list is yes ,no,maybe the linked cell will read 1,2,3
respetively.You can then sum acrooss the boxes.A vlookup table with values
assigned to yes no maybe with a vlookup formula for each dropdown will aslo
let ou summ across the boxes