multiple dependent lists

I've looked through this forum and went to several help links and have the basics of the dependent lists. I have office 2008 for mac and was trying to make the worksheet with out Visual Basic macros. I have 5 lists but they are not all dependent of each other. basically the progression would go like this. Goal-exercise-sets-reps-rest. I know how to set up the first two lists but not sure how to get lists 3-5 to interact with the first list selection? Whatever the goal is of the first list will dictate the list for the remaining 4 lists. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have attached a basic version of what I'm trying to do.

MarvinP,
thanks for the help. I know this is a basic question but, how do I look at the formula used to create the lists you made? I was thinking of keeping the last three dependent lists separate since they will not have more than 10 to 15 variables but the second list (exercise) will have up to 30 selections depending on the first selection (type). So if I select "strength" I would like that to have a list of exercises separate from Core, ESD, and Power. What functions did you use? INDEX, MATCH, OFFSET, or INDIRECT? I've looked at the help section on contextures and other places but, none seem to quite match up what I want to do. Sorry for all the noobie questions but, I think for what I'm trying to do it's not to advanced. Any more help is greatly appreciated.
jbstrong

MarvinP,
thanks for the detailing what you did with the workout sheet. I'm amazed at how easy this must be for you and others on this forum. It's been a long time since I've tried using excel for more than just basic spreadsheets.
I wasn't intending on using the workbook as a workout log. I was going to use it more to create workouts to make it easier and more efficient with lists that are dependent on the first selection. Although, i think I will use the workbook and info you passed on for myself. There are hundreds of exercises to choose from and I was looking at using excel to break them up into several groups or lists. Although some of the options in each list are identical to other lists I was trying to keep them separate so when I create the full workout spreadsheet I wouldn't have 30 to 40 options. I do realize that with the sets, reps, and rest I could make them generic lists because their are not that many options for them. For exercises I could just make the basic dependent list and use =INDIRECT (A2).
I did attach another example that might explain it better using groceries. If you or anyone else could look at it I would really appreciate it. I put a note inside the excel file of what I'm trying to accomplish.
Basically select the type of grocery (fruit,veg, meat, dairy). If you select fruit have a list of all the fruit choices. The last three lists would be quantity to buy, shelf life, and color. These three lists are dependent on the first selection. Some of the lists have identical entries but, i want to keep them separate as the this is only a sample list. I'm not sure if this can be done without VBA or if you can make the lists correspond with just the first selection? IF i can't i can just make the last three lists generic but, wanted to know if it's possible to do what I stated above.
Thanks,
JBstrong

MarvinP,
Thanks for he help. I will probably go with the table and auto filter for now. Or I can always just set up the other lists independent of the first two. I really just wanted to know if it was possible without code or VBA and thank you for letting me know. It saves me time trying to find the answer online somewhere. I could also save myself the headache and just get the new Office 11 for mac which supports VBA.

jbstrong

try this method and let us know if it works for you.

Charlie_Howell,
This works great! How complicated is it to set a sheet up like this? If you can't tell I'm still pretty new to making lists interact like this. I looked through the file you made and can see the lists you made but is there a way to see the actual formula? Sorry if I'm missing the obvious answer but I would really like to know what type of lists you used and how you connected them all.

Thanks,
JBstrong

JB, it's not complicated at all. Just look at the way the lists are cascaded. Every cell with data validation refrences to the one prior to it.Check out the named ranges and look at the names. They are all on the second sheet.As for the data validation, Just open each of the data validation cells as if you were going to create a data validation and look at the tiny ,simple, formula. ie. "=indirect(A1)" You just have to organize your data so that you can refer to every nuance. Every thing in a list will have a sub list. I hope Ive explained this method with clarity. If not, let me know and I'll give it another shot.

Charlie Howell,
After I had more time to look at the lists and Data Validation it all made sense. I had to look up what "VLOOKUP" did and how it worked in excel. I thought it was more complicated than it is. Thanks again for the help!

JBstrong