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How to 'copy' a drop down box selection?

  1. #1
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    Question How to 'copy' a drop down box selection?

    Hi
    I have a worksheet which I populate using drop down boxes, direct typing and formulaes (depending on the column). I want to produce a replica of this sheet where I can then adjust some columns to suit another user. However, some of the columns will still be identical to the original sheet and so I want to populate the new sheet using the old one (if you see what i mean!)

    For the straightforward 'direct typing' columns, I know using eg =SUM('Sheet1'!C16) will populate the column correctly on the 2nd sheet, but how can I replicate the column where the cells use drop down boxes so that if I change the drop down selection on sheet 1, it will change on sheet 2 as well?

    Any help would be appreciated. Hopefully the question is clear!

    Thanks

  2. #2
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    I am not sure I got what you mean, but if I am right, this is for you!

    you want to use drop down list from another worksheet, but in the same workbook, so that if you modify this list, the one from the other worksheet is modify as well. The trick is to simply use the very same one!

    You can name a drop down list by selecting the cells and giving it a name in the upper-left corner (name box, where you see A4 and so on...). Do not forget to press ENTER, or the name change will not occur.

    Then, with the validation menu, you select "list" and simply enter "=(name of your list". Like this, you have a single source for your list in all the worksheets, instead of typing it for every cells and having to change it everywhere if an update is needed.

    Hope this is useful... or maybe your problem is not what I gathered...

  3. #3
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    Just in case this is for you and my explainations aren't clear, see "Create a drop-down list from a range of cells " in the help menu: it also explains how to use a list from another workbook....

  4. #4
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    This one should be it...:)

    Sorry...read again the question, and realized I definately got it wrong!

    I guess this is more like it: the copied version must always show the value selected from the drop down list in the other worksheet.

    U can set it as you would do it for a regular cell: let's say the original validation is in cell A4 in sheet 2, you just enter this formula in the relevant cell in the other worksheet: =Sheet2!A4

    If the value is changed at the source, it will change in the linked worksheet as well...

    Better?

  5. #5
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    Forgot to add this can be done from one workbook to another as well. The quickest way to set it is to open both files, select the destination cell, type = in the formula bar, and use "windows" to switch to the other document and selct the origin cell. VOILA

  6. #6
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    Thanks

    Thank you for the help - now you've written the answer I can see it's so obvious! I think my brain got fried from working on ideas for the spreadsheet for so long yesterday! Thanks again

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