creating a formula that recognizes only one variable per cell

[KristinPD]

Okay, so here's what I'm doing. I'm teaching a class that requires essays to be submitted. The first one, since it was due on class 2, I am doing Pass/Fail - if you turned it in you pass, if you didn't you fail. I've created a monster spreadsheet to do my tracking for me.

What I want is to enter in each student's Essay 1 cell their pass or fail (Y or N) and their grade (YB or NF). The column at far right that will give them credit for Y or N, I want that formula to only recognize the Y or N. The letter grade doesn't matter, except to help me track their progress.

I know this has got to be easy, but I can't figure it out.

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[OGCV1]

Kristin,

So if ive got this right you want to isolate the first letter from the Essay 1 column. =LEFT(B2,1) would do this.

If i havent got that right then i have misunderstood you and it would be helpful if you could post and example.

OGCV

 

[No_Need_For_Macros]

Kristen,
Similarly, if you wanted to use something like "Pass" or "Fail":

=IF(A1="Y*","PASS","FAIL")

 

[Peter_SSs]

Similarly, if you wanted to use something like "Pass" or "Fail":

=IF(A1="Y*","PASS","FAIL")

Did you try that formula?

 

[No_Need_For_Macros]

Bad Formula from me Kristen. Sorry, the if function does not work that way!

 

[OGCV1]

This would work though
=IF(LEFT(A1,1)="Y","Pass","Fail")