ThorinO
asked on
Data validation working in 1 column but not another?
I am setting up an Excel workbook and have 3 columns, two use data validation that is looking at data from two other worksheets. One of the columns works and won't let me enter any other data into it. The other column works and has the drop down list but it lets me put whatever else in that I want. I am trying to restrict both columns to a certain set of data.
ASKER
It is checked, I unchecked and rechecked and it still does not do anything. Can I have two data validations on 1 worksheet?
You should be able to have many data validations. Are you saying that you can type in a value which isn't in the dropdown list, without an alert? [Note that validation doesn't prevent you pasting invalid values]?
Can you post the workbook, or a sample?
barry
Can you post the workbook, or a sample?
barry
Can you post the formulas or what you are trying to acheive in the validation ? as sometime it is tricky and if the formulas not well built it will not work correctly.
gowflow
gowflow
ASKER
Attached is pretty much what I am using the only thing I changed was the employee names on the 3rd sheet. On the first sheet the dropdowns are working for both columns, however on the employee column I can type whatever I want even though I shouldn't be able to. The Hardware tab works correctly.
InventoryExample.xlsx
InventoryExample.xlsx
ASKER
Now it works, can you let me know what was I doing wrong please?
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ASKER
Cool thanks
Welcome and tks for the grade !
gowflow
gowflow
If there is a blank entry in the look up range then one can enter whatever one likes in the cell which has the Drop Down List.
range =Employees!A1:A76
So if A76 is a blank cell then the Cell with the Drop Down List will take any entry.
So I would suggest -
a. The lookup list has no blank cells
b. You give it a Range Name - In later Excel this is under Formulas/Named Manager
c. The cells with the Drop Down List refer to the Named Range so
Source Box is =Named_Range
d. When an entry is added to the lookup list then the Named Range will need to be redefined to include the additional entry.
Refer to the attached Excel Sheet.
Column D now contains an example with the Named Range 'Employees_76' containing an empty cell. So any entry can be entered.
InventoryExample.xlsx
range =Employees!A1:A76
So if A76 is a blank cell then the Cell with the Drop Down List will take any entry.
So I would suggest -
a. The lookup list has no blank cells
b. You give it a Range Name - In later Excel this is under Formulas/Named Manager
c. The cells with the Drop Down List refer to the Named Range so
Source Box is =Named_Range
d. When an entry is added to the lookup list then the Named Range will need to be redefined to include the additional entry.
Refer to the attached Excel Sheet.
Column D now contains an example with the Named Range 'Employees_76' containing an empty cell. So any entry can be entered.
InventoryExample.xlsx
Under "Error Alert" tab in data validation make sure you check the box that says "Show error alert after invalid data is entered". If you don't check that you can enter anything.....
regards, barry