Limiting number of characters in a cell without using data validation or macros.

Sadly, I believe the answer is "No" You could have a separate cell(s) checking the text length and returning a warning within that cell(s). Once you convert to CSV, you will lose those formulas also (although the warning will remain as text).

Dunno if this is correct or not, havent read it in depth.
From another website



"Problem: There is no good solution to prevent users from bypassing (or removing) the Data Validation process (both intentionally and unintentionally). Users are able to paste over cells that contain Data Validation and completely remove it from the worksheet. Some users have no idea when this occurs and others do this intentionally because they want to use their own data and formatting. Users are also able to paste their data as values directly into the cell with Data Validation and bypass the entire process. Protecting the worksheet doesn’t work because you still need to allow the user to input data into the cell.

The majority of Excel users are not technical in nature and most corporations no longer allow macros or Visual Basic, we must rely on the skills of the author and the capabilities of the software to reduce improper use and notify the user when "invalid data" is entered.

Simple Solution: In the Settings Tab, there are 2 checkboxes: Ignore blank and In-cell dropdown. Adding the following options gives the author more control over the data being entered by the user.

☑ Prevent overwrite – This should probably be included by default. If the author took the time to manually create Data Validation on a worksheet, users shouldn’t be able to just paste over it or delete it from the worksheet.

☑ Allow paste values/Circle invalid data – There is value in allowing users to paste values into cells containing Data Validation. This option allows users to paste their data as values into cells with Data Validation but it also circles each cell that does not meet the Data Validation criteria. If this box is not checked, users must be restricted from pasting values into the cell but not restricted from pasting into the formula bar, double clicking inside the cell, or by selecting the cell and pressing the F2 key."

I don't remember ever seeing a “Prevent overwrite” option. Where is this?