V/H Lookup returning a drop down list?

[L.J.]

Greetings Wizards,

I'm running into a problem with my spreadsheet in which I am using hlookup to auto populate data. Im having user enter a spec-number for a process and the run specifications populate in each cell. My problem is that one specific spec number there are multiple choices for 1 criteria point dependent on other factors. I have 100+ specs, and only the one has multiple choice for this certain criteria. On the hlookup table array, this one criteria point has a dropdown list with the choices, and I'd like that dropdown returned if this spec number is entered. Possible? I don't really want the other spec numbers to need to return a dropdown for this cell as they are all other 1 choice only.

Please, and thank you. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[ag273n]

do you mean the user puts a value in one cell, then on another cell, comes a dropdown list which is dependent to the content of the first cell?
if above is yes.. you probably want something being taught on this page:

http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal02.html

[FDibbins]

...On the hlookup table array, this one criteria point has a dropdown list with the choices, and I'd like that dropdown returned if this spec number is entered. Possible?...

short answer - no.

A DD is no different from a cell that you type data into, the only main differences being that it saves typing, helps avoid typos and can restrict data entry. Other than that, they are the same, and as you probably already know, you cannot have data AND a formula in the same cell.

Perhaps you could upload a small (clean) sample workbook (not a pic) of what you are working with, and what your expected outcome would look like.

[L.J.]

Thank guys, I'll see if i can upload a example, but first, i thought of another way, but again not sure if possible... I'm an excel novice.

Can I have the dropdown be conditional? example, if the user entered spec is my problem spec then be a dropdown, if false, be the hlookup?

[L.J.]

ok, attached is a very basic sheet of what im trying to do.

On my lookup array, for the time of spec 1 (highlighted yellow) us a dropdown list for time. This spec's time is dependant on other factors. the times of the rest of the specs are static.

on the user table, user enters spec, and everything else auto populates with hlookup. However, with spec 1 it just returns whatever, is the current selection of the dropdown in the array.

My actual array is huge, and hidden from the user.

I want the dropdown choice to be on the user table, for time, IF spec 1 is entered under spec... and just the whatever the actual time is (no dropdown) for the rest of the specs.

[ag273n]

you need to see what i posted above... it has a tutorial on data validation that is dependent on another list.

[Vic_from_sweden]

I have a follow-up question on this one.

I understand how I use ranges to make the drop down list dependent on another cell value (like the tutorial).

But I have a list of hundreds of categories (in the tutorial it was Produce types, Fruit names and Vegetable names) and each category has 4 options. Naming all those ranges will take forever.

Is there a smarter and quicker way of doing that? Is there a way to name ranges based on the header of the category?

Thanks
Vic

[FlameRetired]

Vic,

It sounds like you need to start your own thread here. If you feel this thread relevant to your question provide a link back to it.