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Validation in Excel

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6 replies

by jimboom333

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Hello.
When I create a drop down list for Validation in Excel, a drop down arrow appears in the cell adjacent to the selected cell, and arrow appears only when the cell is activated.
I would like to anchor the arrow in the cell itself and have thearrow "on" all the time.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jim S

6 replies

by jimboom333

Your answer takes me into a completely different area.
It may be the beginning of an alternative answer.I'll have to play with the list box suggestion and try to make that work. I'll get back to you on the rating. Your patience is appreciated.
Thanks

by dklippert

A validtion list only appears when the pointer is near the cell.
Here's one way to create a list box

Create your input list in an unobtrusive place. Name it. (Select the range and go to Insert>Name Define.)
Bring up the Control toolbar.
Holddown the Alt key while you draw the list box, if you want the box to conform to the cell.
Right click and choose Properties.
Locate ListFillRange and enter the Range name. Also add the address for the LinkedCell.
Close the Property box. Right click the Control and choose Format Control. Choose the Move and size with cells option. Click OK
Now close Design mode by clicking the Design mode icon on the Control toolbar.

by jimboom333

I've done some palying with your help so far and here's where I'm at.
1. I've created a ComboBoxlist in B4. The list is named "days" and is located in range D10-D16. It includes Sunday, Monday, Tuesday etc. ComboBox works great.
2. Next, I filled range E10-E16 with the weights 1,2,3,4,5,6,7. One number in each E_ cell to correspond to each day in the D cells.
3. Then I highlightedRange D10-E16 and named that list "weights" (my final goal is to have the weight of the day to appear in Cell D4 when its corresponding day is selected from the comboBox in B4).
I've inserted the following formula in in D4...
=VLOOKUP(B4,weights,2,false). But I can't get it to work.
I feel like I'm close and your help has been invaluable. If it can't be done, I won't bother you again but will definitely send you your points.
It's Friday night and this is what I'm doing.
signed
"Sleepless in Seattle".

by dklippert

Well sleepless, I'm about 30 miles south of you.
I constructed a spreadsheet according to your description, and it works for me. Make sure that weights is defined as D10:E16.
There, actualy should have been a problem, because lookup columns (column 1) "Should" be in alpha/numeric order.
Send me a copy, if you'd like. I'll take a look at it.

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