drop down list

[JKarchner]

I am trying to create a drop down list that references another workbook. I
found the instructions on how to do this in the Excel help guide. However,
when i follow the directions to do so, i receive an error that says you
cannot reference another workbook when validating data. can anyone help me
with this?

[MDubbelboer]

under data validation choose list
a formula similar to this will work:

=INDIRECT("[Book3]Sheet1!$A$1:$A$19")


*Edit* It seems like you need to keep the workbook you're referencing open. I'm not sure if it's possible otherwise because of updating issues and whatnot

[JKarchner]

there isnt a way to do it without having to have the other file open is there?

"MDubbelboer" wrote:

>
> under data validation choose list
> a formula similar to this will work:
>
> =INDIRECT("[Book3]Sheet1!$A$1:$A$19")
>
>
> --
> MDubbelboer
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[MDubbelboer]

not that I know of. you can create a macro to open the second sheet and hide it as the first is opened, but that would involve the user having to enable macros everytime they opened the sheet.