How to restrict someone to enter just one specific wordin one cell

**khurram6601** · 05-27-2015, 04:57 AM

Like i want that in a sheet , other person just can enter (P). otherwise the cell should be blank. is it possible. kindly Give me response.

**Glenn Kennedy** · 05-27-2015, 05:01 AM

Data/Data Validation/Allow = List, Source = P

should do it...

**sonicsiesta** · 05-27-2015, 05:04 AM

Try data validation

**froment** · 05-27-2015, 05:08 AM

Choose a cell that you don't need, type letter "P" in that cell, and give a name to that cell, let's say "allowed" (the easiest way to name the cell or range is to type the name into the name box, on the left of formula bar; for example, if you did it in cell A1, you will see text "A1" left of the formula bar; just click in that box, type "allowed" instead of "A1" and click Enter).

Now, select the cells where you want to restrict the entry. Go to Data - Data validation; in tab "Settings", choose "List" within dropdown menu "Allow"; then in field "Source" type "=allowed" (without quotes). Click OK, and that's it - user won't be able to type anything except "P" in those cells, or he can choose it from dropdown menu that will appear in those cells.

Btw, you can extend the list, to allow more values, just type them in cells below each other, and name the entire range.

**froment** · 05-27-2015, 05:09 AM

Originally Posted by Glenn Kennedy

Data/Data Validation/Allow = List, Source = P

should do it...

Well, it does, much neater than my solution, it doesn't require a list...

**Glenn Kennedy** · 05-27-2015, 05:15 AM

So I saved 1 character in 1 cell... WOW!!!!

**khurram6601** · 05-27-2015, 05:28 AM

Its really helpful. thank u so much

**khurram6601** · 05-27-2015, 05:29 AM

can u please tell me if i want to allow 3 or 4 words like P, M, A, F. than what should be the procedure

**Glenn Kennedy** · 05-27-2015, 05:50 AM

Simplest (especially if you are just using one character choices) is to type: P,M,A,F in source as described at 2, above. Otherwise follow Froment's suggestion (as in the attached sheet)

**khurram6601** · 05-28-2015, 12:45 AM

Dear help me please in one more thing that.. Suppose we have columns by date. is there any option that for the current date column should be activated for editing and others are not. is it possible..if it is.please guide me.

**Glenn Kennedy** · 05-28-2015, 01:56 AM

Not sure I understand you. Do you mean if A1 = 01-05-2015 B1 = 02-05-2015, C1 = 03-05-2015, etc... Protect all columns from editing OTHER than that colums which contains today's date. Then tomorrow, the exemption shifts one column to the right, etc?