SUMIF

[Will]

A1 and A2 contain 1996, A3 and A4 contain 1997, A5 and A6
contain 1998. B2 has $30, B3 has $40. A8, A9, A10 have
1996,1997,1998 respective. What I need to do is sum the B
column referring to A8,A9,A10. In B8 I put =SUMIF
(A1:A6,"<1997",B1:B6), which should be $30.......but
doesn't. What's wrong?? Thanks...Will

 

[Lance]

Using your example, with the information provided,
returns $30. There must be something more...
Lance

 

[Mike]

which should be $30.......but doesn't.

How doesn't? What is your result?

 

[Dave Peterson]

Try:
=SUMIF(A1:A6,"<"&A9,B1:B6)

If you put "<a9" all within quotes, excel sees that as a literal--the characters
A9--not the pointer to the cell.