Assigning a code using a formula

[anillinda]

I would like to populate say column b based on a value in column a. For example column a has credit card data descriptions and I would like to search the column for say a description with the following words "shell" or "exxonmobil" or "chevron", if the words are found then the code assigned should be "Auto", otherwise it should search for words like "adobe' or "norton" and assign code "software".
Appreciate your help.
Thanks
I tried the following formula and it fails:

=IF(SEARCH("SHELL*",B8),"Auto",IF(SEARCH("ALL*",B8),"Auto",""))

 

[jtakw]

Hi,

It sounds like there could be a Long list of items/categories, I suggest building a list of keywords with associated category like my sample below.

Formula in B1 copied down:

Book1
	A	B	C	D	E
1	abcshellxyz	Auto		search list:
2	abcadobe123	Software		Shell	Auto
3	1234wholefoodsxyzzz	Market		Exxonmobil	Auto
4	somehomedepotstuff	Home		Chevron	Auto
5	234AmcTheatersopopo			Adobe	Software
6	nnnc jiffylube234	Auto		Norton	Software
7				Wholefoods	Market
8				Jiffylube	Auto
9				Homedepot	Home
Sheet229

Cell Formulas
Range	Formula
B1	=IFERROR(LOOKUP(2,1/SEARCH(D$2:D$9,A1),E$2:E$9),"")

 

[anillinda]

Thank you so much! This works like a charm, but how do I understand the formula. I am confused by lookup(2,/search(d2:d9,a1),e2:e9). How do I get a better understanding of this syntax?
Thanks