Question

Can't add addtional items in excel spreadsheet dropdown list

Asked by: howcheat

I have an excel spreadsheet that has a dropdown list starting in column AZ1. It worked fine on my data in the first few columns and I was able to add additional items to the dropdown list by inserting it into AZ and changing the data validation to add an additional cell. However, when I got up around 40 items, I could no longer add any more (the new items do not show in the dropdown list although they are included in the validation). Is there a limit to the number of items that may be added to the dropdown list? I figure I will need about 60 items.

thanks,
howard

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Asked On
2009-06-27 at 19:39:34ID24527866
Tags

dropdown excel spreadsheet items list validation

Topic

Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Software

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
8

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Answers

 

by: Skud13Posted on 2009-06-27 at 20:20:17ID: 24730010

You need to go into design mode, right click the list box, select properties, and increase the ListFill Range.

If you need to know how to do this let me know what Excel version you are on.

Regards

AS

 

by: byundtPosted on 2009-06-27 at 21:46:27ID: 24730143

Howard,
Assuming that you are using a data validation dropdown (instead of the Controls ToolBox dropdown that Skud13 is referring to), then Excel 2003 will let you display 32767 items when they are taken from a cell range.

If you are adding the items to your dropdown as text in the "Source" field, then you are limited to approximately 912 characters.


It would be easier to give specific advice if you posted the version of Excel that you are using (as Skud13 requested) and a workbook that demonstrates the problem.

Brad

 

by: howcheatPosted on 2009-06-28 at 04:58:31ID: 24730974

Excel attached. Source is in AZ1 - AZ41. Suppose I need to put Yard Work  in cell A27? Yard Work will not appear in the dropdown.

 

by: Skud13Posted on 2009-06-28 at 05:37:36ID: 24731062

Hi Howard, attach the spreadsheet & let us know the version of excel please as there are differences between 2003 & 2007.

AS

 

by: howcheatPosted on 2009-06-28 at 06:06:23ID: 24731144

Can't seem to get the file to attach. It's an xls file (2000), the "add file" button comes up but when I browse and add it, it seems like it uploads but I don't get anything displayed in the file box. I'm I doing something wrong. I think it might be easier to just use ms access.

 

by: patrickabPosted on 2009-06-28 at 06:50:06ID: 24731269

howcheat,

First select the cell you want the dropdown to be in. Then in Data/Validation select 'List' and in the 'Source' box put:

=OFFSET($AZ$1,0,0,COUNTA($AZ:$AZ),1)

You can now add or remove data to/from column AZ and it will automatically be added/removed to/from the dropdown. You do not need to do anything to make it happen as the range that the dropdown refers to is dynamic.

In the attached file the dropdown it in the yellow cell.

Hope that helps

Patrick

 

by: howcheatPosted on 2009-06-28 at 11:05:52ID: 31597631

Whoa Nellie!! That's it! Thanks Patrick! Thanks to all responders!

 

by: patrickabPosted on 2009-06-28 at 11:31:45ID: 24731961

howcheat - Thanks for the grade - Patrick

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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