Replace a value with a name

[telluride]

Is there a way that I can assign a value to "apple" (has a value of 3) and "orange" (has a value of 2) such that I could reference the cells they are in my formula (not write apple or orange in the formula)

Example A1 + B1 = 5 (Not Apple + Orange = 5)

 

[Brian from Maui]

Is there a way that I can assign a value to "apple" (has a value of 3) and "orange" (has a value of 2) such that I could reference the cells they are in my formula (not write apple or orange in the formula)

Example A1 + B1 = 5 (Not Apple + Orange + 5)

How many of these do you have? You can use Sumproduct/Lookup

=SUMPRODUCT((LOOKUP(A1:B1,C1:D10)))

Where C1:D1 houses fruits sorted in ascending order and associated values in D1:D10

Edited for spelling!

 

[Fat Cat]

Not sure I follow what you are trying to do,

If you just want to reference cells, put the value 3 for an apple in A1 and the value 2 for an orange in A2, then A1 + A2 = 5

If you want to name some ranges; clcik on cell A1 containing the value 3 and then from the top menu use;
INSERT .. NAME .. DEFINE .. call it apple

then click on cell A2
INSERT .. NAME .. DEFINE .. call it orange

now in cell C1 enter =apple + orange