how to get rid of blank area in drop down of a dependent list

The blank area represents the blank cells at the end of your validation lists. To get rid of the blanks in the dropdown, you need to make the validation list area smaller or better still would be to make it dynamic, ie the range changes based on its contents.

Is that something you want to consider?

Would you consider changing the ranges for AA, BB etc to columns rather than rows?

Select the range I12:O15, press Ctrl+G --> Special --> Choose Constant --> OK --> Formulas Tab --> Under Defined Names --> Choose Create from selection --> Choose Left Column --> Click OK to replace the existing named ranges.

@Neeraj - as a one off change that is a good method that I have not seen before. Being dynamic though would mean the definition would change as the contents change.

@Rob
Thanks. As far as I know the dynamic named ranges won't work with Indirect function used in Data Validation.
Have you tried creating dynamic named ranges and referring them within Indirect function in the data validation? I remember I tried it once and it didn't work for me.

Yep, just found that for myself. I am off to try something else then!!!

Based on the current layout, change the formula in the data validation for C2 to:

=OFFSET(I1,MATCH($B$2,I:I,0)-1,1,1,COUNTA(INDIRECT(MATCH($B$2,I:I,0)&":"&MATCH($B$2,I:I,0)))-1)

So rather than creating several dynamic ranges to use within the INDIRECT function, create one dynamic range within the DV.

No doubt the current layout is not completely representative of the true working document so it will no doubt need amending.

Thanks
Rob

Good one Rob! :)

Thanks Neeraj. Only good in this particular scenario which I think is unrealistic. For starters this relies on the remainder of the rows holding the lookup data being blank.

Not even assisted points for Neeraj and myself???