How can I put an "X" in Excel and have that column read it as a specific number?

Question

I'm making a spreadsheet that will list a number of registrations and activities. Ideally, the person entering the data will be able to type in the name and put an "X" in the column that the person is registering for. The spreadsheet will then add the value of the "X" (ie: $20.00,
$65.00, etc) in the appropriate column. Each column will have a different number.

Answer 1

I've written 2 choices of formulas, one that uses every "X" or one that uses every non-blank cell. Just copy your choice down Column I along the Xs.
Both formulas basically work the same, the 2nd has a potential problem (the user may type a space in a field instead of leaving it blank). I prefer the 1st formula with Data Validation set on the cells that only allow someone to type an "X" in the cell.

– – – – – A– – –B– – –C– – –D– – E– – –F– – –G– – –H
1– – – – Ch1– –Ch2– Ch3– Ch4– Ch5– Ch6– –Ch7– Ch8
2– – – – $25– – $30– $45– –$10– $15– $20– –$35– –$50
3
4– Nm1– –X– – – X– – –– – –X– – –X– – X
5– Nm2
6– Nm3
7– Nm4

=IF(B4="X",$B$2, )+IF(C4="X",$C$2, )+IF(D4="X",$D$2, )+IF(E4="X",$E$2, )+IF(F4="X",$F$2, )+IF(G4="X",$G$2, )+IF(H4="X",$H$2, )

=IF(ISBLANK(B4), ,$B$2)+IF(ISBLANK(C4), ,$C$2)+IF(ISBLANK(D4), ,$D$2)+IF(ISBLANK(E4), ,$E$2)+IF(ISBLANK(F4), ,$F$2)+IF(ISBLANK(G4), ,$G$2)+IF(ISBLANK(H4), ,$H$2)

There may be a better method, but darn if I can think of one today, heh.

Answer 2

select the column, go to format and select number and select text

Answer 3

If I understand correctly, you have something like

+------------+------+------+------+
| Name | 20 | 65 | 100 |
+------------+------+------+------+

and you want to put 'X' under each amount and get the sum of the amounts that have a 'X'?

I'd do this formula:
=(B2="x")*20+(C2="x")*65+(D2="x")*100