Converting text variables in a cell to numeric values

I'm asking this on behalf of a friend who is having trouble answering. Since we have different schedules, responses may be spread out.

I'm using Excel 2003 and I need to take data from cells and convert it to numeric value. For example, if "Alex" output "1", if "Bob" output "2", if "Carl" output "3" etc. I know the "IF" function can return the value I'm looking for if true, and if false for the first value pass it off to another nested IF function, for example, =IF(Alex,1,IF(Bob,2,IF(Carl,3,Unknown))). Unfortunately, I can only nest up to 7 IF functions, and I have 10 variables I need to convert to numeric designations. Any help on a better way of doing this would be much appreciated.

The specific data I need to convert is located in a table at http://www.feesher.com/anvil/index.php . The data I'm having a problem with is under the Yield column, the numeric designations and the text I want them to result from is listed below if this is relevant.

0 - Ultimate Wad
1 - 3W
2 - 2W/1W+3N
3 - 1W/4N
4 - 3N
5 - 2N/1N+3P
6 - 1N/4P
7 - 3P
8 - 2P
9 - 1P
10 - Epic