how can I activate a 'numbers' duplicating prompt (help)

[Earl]

Has anyone come across this before?
I am listing a series of telephone numbers in an excell spreadsheet, and I
do not wish to duplicate any of the numbers already on my list, is there a
numbers prompt that someone knows about-they can kindly pass onto me as a
tip? (just like when using the letter or word prompts in an excell spread
sheet)

pls email: [email protected]

[Paul B]

Earl, see if this will do what you want,
http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal07.html

--
Paul B
Always backup your data before trying something new
Please post any response to the newsgroups so others can benefit from it
Feedback on answers is always appreciated!
Using Excel 2002 & 2003

"Earl" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Has anyone come across this before?
> I am listing a series of telephone numbers in an excell spreadsheet, and I
> do not wish to duplicate any of the numbers already on my list, is there a
> numbers prompt that someone knows about-they can kindly pass onto me as a
> tip? (just like when using the letter or word prompts in an excell spread
> sheet)
>
> pls email: [email protected]

[Ron Rosenfeld]

On Sun, 12 Jun 2005 12:29:02 -0700, "Earl" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Has anyone come across this before?
>I am listing a series of telephone numbers in an excell spreadsheet, and I
>do not wish to duplicate any of the numbers already on my list, is there a
>numbers prompt that someone knows about-they can kindly pass onto me as a
>tip? (just like when using the letter or word prompts in an excell spread
>sheet)
>
>pls email: [email protected]

You can use data validation for this function.

Select the range of cells where you might be entering phone numbers. For
example, Column A, with A1 as the active cell.

Data/Validation/Settings
Allow: Custom

Formula: =COUNTIF(A:A,A1)=1

Then enter whatever Input message and Error alert message (and type) you wish.


--ron

[sanskar_d]

Earl,

If you are looking for something that will eliminate duplicate data then here is how you can do it the easily.

1. Insert a blank column on the right side of the "Telephone Number" column.
2. Sort the data by the column in which you have these numbers.
(Note: select the complete lines before sorting, to avoid data from corrupting.)

3. Now, go to Data -- Filters and click "Advance Filter".

4. Click "OK" on the message display.

5. In "List Range", select the data from which you need to extract only unique data.

6. Select "Copy to another location" and click in the adjecent cell in the blank column inserted earlier (Point 1.) (i.e. If your telephone numbers starts from B2:B1000, then click C2.)

7. Select "Unique records Only". and click ok

Sometimes the first number is copied twice in the first two columns.

Hope this helps.

If this does not help then mail me the sheet on [email protected]


sam