Problem with automatic drop down list

[jcicero]

Hi all,

I have used Excel for some very basic purposes in the past. I am currently teaching myself how to use it and have created a couple of Nested IFs for a College Budget Worksheet.

When single-clicking on the cell with the function in it, there is a drop down list that I did not create. It includes a list of other functions/formulas. If I select one, it alters the function in the cell. This worksheet will be used by a large number of users that I cannot have altering the function. How do I disable that drop-down?

I am using Excel 2010. It is very frustrating for me at this point. I cannot find anything online for this particular issue. Below is a screenshot of what I am talking about. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

11-29-2012 11-57-05 AM.png

[dogberry]

Hi

Check your data validation it may be in that and do you have another range with those items on it


Chris

[jcicero]

I apologize for the remedial nature of my understanding with this.

When I am on the cell with the function and select the data validation option, it doesn't allow me to edit or clear the list in any way.

Part of the function includes a cell that has a data validation list in it. I have attached the sheet for a review of the function.

Hope this helps. Remember, I am as much of a newbie as I can be.

[6StringJazzer]

I have never seen this exact construct before. This dropdown is not a data validation dropdown. There are blocks of data in that worksheet that are tables (look it up in Excel Help). It appears that the last row in the table ending at C25 provides a built-in summary number. You can recognize it as a table by looking at the little blue symbol in the lower right corner of that cell. You can select how you want the summary to be determined using the dropdown box. This is very similar to how you can select a summary function in a pivot table. However, I do not know how it was built; I have used tables but have never seen that done. Further, it's also strange that you are able to put a formula in the same cell, which works, and still be prompted with a dropdown.

Based on your question, it is clear that you didn't build this from scratch. Where did you get it?

[jcicero]

Interestingly enough, I did create this from scratch. I looked at the final view of something similar but the one I used didn't have the functions or the tables I entered. I am a newbie with excel, but I am a fairly quick learner. I entered and formatted all the tables. Underneath the two tables with the functions in them, I simply highlighted the cell and entered the function that I learned today.

I am baffled by the drop down list/summary that you mention and have yet to find anything I could have done in my setup that would have unintentionally caused this issue.

:/

Thanks for your insight.

EDIT: I went back and looked at it and when I did what I did, it automatically added the cell with the function to the table. I did not purposefully do that. I wonder if I try and set up those two cells outside of the table if it will still work and remove the drop down summary.