Formula Halp - If or Lookup

[Diane]

I am not sure how to get the results I am looking for, and if it is better to
use an if statement or a lookup funtcion (which I have never used before).

Data Information:
Column "AO" contains one of 5 names
Based on looking at these names, I want a formula that puts one of 5
corresponding intials in column BA.

Any formula suggestions would be truly appreciated!!

 

[John Bundy]

We need some rules, what decides which initials go into column BA? you say
colmn AO contains one of 5 names, so does AO contain only 1 name? or does it
have many names that are from a pool of 5?

 

[Diane]

I'll try to illustrate more clearly. Column AO is a long list within a
spreadsheet database of over 300 entries. I want Column BA to display the
appropriate initials. So if AO had Jane Doe, or Jane Doe, LCSW, column BA's
formula would yield the answer JD.

Example:
Column AO Column BA
Jane Doe JD
Sally Smith, LMSW SS
Bob Brown BB
Sue White, LCSW SW
Mary Jane, LMSW MJ
Mary Jane MJ
Bob Brown, LCSW-R BB
Jane Doe, LCSW JD
Sally Smith SS

Is there a formula that can do this? Please let me know if you need any
further info to assist in helping me, and thank you for responding so quickly
to my original post.

 

[Fred Smith]

Try this in column BA:

=left(ao1,1)&left(find(" ",ao1)+1,1)

Copy down as required

Regards,
Fred.

 

[dan dungan]

Does the formula below work for you?

=LEFT(AO1,1)&MID(AO1,FIND(" ",AO1)+1,1)

 

[Diane]

THANKS! It worked perfectly!!