Data, Validation

Laura \( '_' \) · 11-28-2005, 12:50 PM

BlankHiya,
In the data validation, to make a drop down list, what is the highest amount
of characters that can be used and would I be able to get more space,
because I would like a drop down of about 50 names.
TIA

--
@---}--
Laura.....

Liverpool, England

"Do you know where you're going to?"

**SteveG** · 11-28-2005, 01:01 PM

I currently use a data validation dropdown with around 50 names in the list so that shouldn't propose a problem. The only thing that I don't like about it is that the larger your list, the smaller the names become so it is very hard for your users to read them. I usually use a combo box or list box because you can change the format of the text as it appears to your users whereas in Data Validation you cannot.

Cheers,

Steve

Dave Peterson · 11-28-2005, 01:10 PM

I think it's 255 (or 256) characters.

But you could put that list of names on a different worksheet (hidden???). And
give it a nice range name and use that for your data|validation list.

Debra Dalgleish explains it:
http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal01.html#Dropdown

"Laura ( '_' )" wrote:
>
> BlankHiya,
> In the data validation, to make a drop down list, what is the highest amount
> of characters that can be used and would I be able to get more space,
> because I would like a drop down of about 50 names.
> TIA
>
> --
> @---}--
> Laura.....

> Liverpool, England
>
> "Do you know where you're going to?"

--

Dave Peterson

Dave Peterson · 11-28-2005, 01:20 PM

A little test returned 255 as the max.

Dave Peterson wrote:
>
> I think it's 255 (or 256) characters.
>
> But you could put that list of names on a different worksheet (hidden???). And
> give it a nice range name and use that for your data|validation list.
>
> Debra Dalgleish explains it:
> http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal01.html#Dropdown
>
> "Laura ( '_' )" wrote:
> >
> > BlankHiya,
> > In the data validation, to make a drop down list, what is the highest amount
> > of characters that can be used and would I be able to get more space,
> > because I would like a drop down of about 50 names.
> > TIA
> >
> > --
> > @---}--
> > Laura.....

> > Liverpool, England
> >
> > "Do you know where you're going to?"
>
> --
>
> Dave Peterson

--

Dave Peterson

**SteveG** · 11-28-2005, 01:27 PM

Sorry! I misunderstood the question. The characters in the Source box are limited but you can refer to a list in a separate column or worksheet as Dave said.

Steve

Laura \( '_' \) · 11-29-2005, 04:55 AM

>But you could put that list of names on a different worksheet
>(hidden???). And
>give it a nice range name and use that for your data|validation >list.

Thanks for your help Dave and Steve, but I don't even know where 2 start!!!
I'm sorry but I only started using Excel a few days ago so Im a complete
beginner and Im trying to learn step by step.
Could you please explain how to do the above quote.

Thankyou both very much!
--
@---}--
Laura.....

Liverpool, England

"Do you know where you're going to?"
"SteveG" <[email protected]> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
>
> Sorry! I misunderstood the question. The characters in the Source box
> are limited but you can refer to a list in a separate column or
> worksheet as Dave said.
>
> Steve
>
>
> --
> SteveG
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> SteveG's Profile:
http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...fo&userid=7571
> View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=488783
>

Dave Peterson · 11-29-2005, 11:25 AM

Debra Dalgleish has some very nice instructions (including pictures) for working
with data|validation at:
http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal01.html

In particular:
http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal01.html#Dropdown

Take a look at that site and post back if you have questions.

"Laura ( '_' )" wrote:
>
> >But you could put that list of names on a different worksheet
> >(hidden???). And
> >give it a nice range name and use that for your data|validation >list.
>
> Thanks for your help Dave and Steve, but I don't even know where 2 start!!!
> I'm sorry but I only started using Excel a few days ago so Im a complete
> beginner and Im trying to learn step by step.
> Could you please explain how to do the above quote.
>
> Thankyou both very much!
> --
> @---}--
> Laura.....

> Liverpool, England
>
> "Do you know where you're going to?"
> "SteveG" <[email protected]> wrote in
> message news:[email protected]...
> >
> > Sorry! I misunderstood the question. The characters in the Source box
> > are limited but you can refer to a list in a separate column or
> > worksheet as Dave said.
> >
> > Steve
> >
> >
> > --
> > SteveG
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > SteveG's Profile:
> http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...fo&userid=7571
> > View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=488783
> >

--

Dave Peterson

Laura \( '_' \) · 11-29-2005, 11:45 AM

Thanks Dave. Will do :D

--
@---}--
Laura.....

Liverpool, England

"Do you know where you're going to?"
"Dave Peterson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Debra Dalgleish has some very nice instructions (including pictures) for
working
> with data|validation at:
> http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal01.html
>
> In particular:
> http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal01.html#Dropdown
>
> Take a look at that site and post back if you have questions.
>
> "Laura ( '_' )" wrote:
> >
> > >But you could put that list of names on a different worksheet
> > >(hidden???). And
> > >give it a nice range name and use that for your data|validation >list.
> >
> > Thanks for your help Dave and Steve, but I don't even know where 2
start!!!
> > I'm sorry but I only started using Excel a few days ago so Im a complete
> > beginner and Im trying to learn step by step.
> > Could you please explain how to do the above quote.
> >
> > Thankyou both very much!
> > --
> > @---}--
> > Laura.....

> > Liverpool, England
> >
> > "Do you know where you're going to?"
> > "SteveG" <[email protected]> wrote in
> > message news:[email protected]...
> > >
> > > Sorry! I misunderstood the question. The characters in the Source
box
> > > are limited but you can refer to a list in a separate column or
> > > worksheet as Dave said.
> > >
> > > Steve
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > SteveG
> >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > SteveG's Profile:
> > http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...fo&userid=7571
> > > View this thread:
http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=488783
> > >
>
> --
>
> Dave Peterson