Data Validation with Named Range Problem

Hi All,

I'm experiencing a very frustrating error when creating a dynamic data validation list that is based off a named range.

In the attached file, I have my two reference tables on the Control tab: "Themes" and "Tags", and named ranges based off them, named "Themes2" and "Tags2" respectively. I want to create drop-down lists on the Dashboard tab that reference the tables. Usually when I do this, I would just type =Themes2 into the data validation source, but I keep getting an error saying the formula is wrong.

I am completely baffled - this should be so simple, but I cannot for the life of me figure out what is going wrong. Let me know if you can help!

Best,

Scott

Example (1).xlsx
I'm not sure how you defined your names. I selected the list, selected the formula tab on the ribbon, and hit the create from selection button. this named the selection with the top cell in the selection ie tags and themes. Then the cells in the dashboard can be =tags and =themes.

Hmm, I ended up getting it to work, but only by clicking on "Define Name" for each table.

I would bet my life savings that when I had done this before, I used the method you reference above (I think), and named the range by entering it into the "Table Name" box in the Design tab. Now, in Name Manager, I have four lists: Themes2 and Tags2, defined using the "Table Name" box, and ThemesList and TagsList, defined by using "Define Name". The latter two work for data validation, and the former two do not.

Was I just really dumb in believing that the former and latter lists are all equal?