Question

Adding a validation dropdown list using string

Asked by: SkyWalker

Dear experts,

I need to add a validation dropdown list to a cell, I tried using the following code and it works fine

   sOptions = "a,b,c,d"
    With sheet1.range("E3").Validation
        .Delete
        .Add Type:=xlValidateList, Formula1:=sOptions
        .InCellDropdown = True
        .IgnoreBlank = True
    End With

However, if I change sOptions to

   sOptions = "Customer Name,Customer Number,Address 1"

I hit the following error:
"Run-time error '-2147417848 (80010108)': Method 'Add' or object 'Validation' failed"

I'm not sure why it happened but suspect the spaces in the string. I tried

   sOptions = "'Customer Name','Customer Number','Address 1'"

but didn't work too. What else can I do? Please help.

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Asked On
2004-02-04 at 23:40:04ID20874051
Tags

validation

,

80010108

Topic

Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Software

Participating Experts
1
Points
125
Comments
8

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Answers

 

by: SkyWalkerPosted on 2004-02-04 at 23:43:24ID: 10278509

I'm sorry, I've forgotten to mention that everytime after hitting the problem, I'll get the following message when I try to close excel.

"Cannot quit Microsoft Excel"

 

by: remarklPosted on 2004-02-05 at 04:07:04ID: 10279675

Sky walker

Have you tried putting the options in a range of XL cells and directing the validation to the range?

 

by: SkyWalkerPosted on 2004-02-05 at 18:08:45ID: 10286558

I have and it works but my data are on a different worksheet, I believe Excel doesn't allow range from another worksheet in validation dropdowns. I won't put the data on the same worksheet unless I have no other choices. I don't understand, why won't it accept that string?

 

by: remarklPosted on 2004-02-05 at 18:35:50ID: 10286731

Yes, you can put the list on another sheet.  Even another workbook.  But you may need to name the range on your home sheet and then refer to it by name in the validation dialog or VBA call.  So, if you define the name "valrange" in book1 as

=[Book2]sheet1!$a$1:$A$5

which I would do by pointing, not typing, you can set validation in book 1 to

=valrange

and the list will be pulled from the address in the named range.

 

by: SkyWalkerPosted on 2004-02-05 at 19:02:44ID: 10286901

Dear remarkl,

Are you sure we can reference other worksheets for validation? I hit error doing that. In fact, if I set the validation rules in Excel (not VBA) from the menu Data - validation, it won't let me move to other worksheets. If I force an address referencing other worksheets I get an error saying:

"You may not use references to other worksheets or workbooks for Data Validation criteria."

 

by: remarklPosted on 2004-02-05 at 19:09:24ID: 10286933

Oh, ye of little faith.  

Open two workbooks.

In book1 sheet1 a1:a5, put entries

In book 2 define the name "valrange" by pointing to A1:A5 on book1 sheet1

In book 2, pick a cell and set its validation to a list with the reference

=valrange.

Go ahead.  Humor me.

Or, I can send you the workbooks, as they are open on my machine.

LJK

P.S.  I have not tried to do this in VBA.

 

by: SkyWalkerPosted on 2004-02-05 at 20:02:59ID: 10287264

Thank you very much remarkl, I haven't used name before. Excellent.
However, I had problem setting the value of the name right with these codes:

ActiveWorkbook.Names.Add Name:="valRange", RefersToR1C1:="=Sheet2!A1:A7"
ActiveWorkbook.Names.Add Name:="valRange", RefersToR1C1:="=Sheet2!$A$1:$A$7"

Keep error when adding the validation list.
Anyway, I've changed the code a little to the following and it works beautifully.

Sheet2.Range("A1:A7").Name = "valRange"

Great. Thanks!!!

 

by: remarklPosted on 2004-02-05 at 20:15:20ID: 10287333

ActiveWorkbook.Names.Add Name:="valRange", RefersTo="=Sheet2!$A$1:$A$7"

would have worked, I think.  the R1C1 form is for when you use R1C1 notation for cells.  I'm not sure of the correct syntax, something like

ActiveWorkbook.Names.Add Name:="valRange", RefersToR1C1:="=Sheet2!$R1$C1:$R7$C1"

I'm actually surprised that the syntax you used works.  Thanks for the tip!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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