Put a specific word in a cell based on the word in another cell

You absolutely can do this without Microsoft 365, without array formulas, and without stress.

In cell D2, put this formula:

=IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("WOOLWORTHS",C2)),"Groceries",IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("MCDONALDS",C2)),"Eating Out",IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("PRIME",C2)),"Streaming","")))

Then drag down column D.

How to add more rules

Just replace the final "" with another IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("WORD",C2)),"Category", and close with "" at the end.

Example with 5 rules:

=IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("WOOLWORTHS",C2)),"Groceries",IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("MCDONALDS",C2)),"Eating Out",IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("PRIME",C2)),"Streaming",IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("AMAZON",C2)),"Shopping",""))))

friendly tip…

If a transaction doesn't match any word, the cell will stay blank. Just manually type the category for those few — or add another rule if you see a pattern.

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

Hope this will help you.

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