Create common dropdown lists across multiple workbooks

Hello -

I expect to deploy over 200 iterations of a workbook (templates if you will) containing a mix of up to one hundred different attributes each with its own list of valid values. My problem is the attributes don't always default to the same column in every template workbook. Therefore, to make things easier for users I would like to create attribute valid value dropdown lists on the fly using the "Valid Values' table as the source data (see the attached). Since the attribute names will be the same from one template workbook to the next, I wanted to come up with a macro that would reference a source table (a separate workbook) containing all valid values for all attributes which users would be required to download to their local machine.

See the attached example workbooks and an example of a "Valid Values" list. Here's what needs to happen: When a user opens template workbook #1 I need drop down lists containing the valid values for the attributes contained in cell B3 (User Code),C3 (Department) and D3 (Category). Likewise, when another user opens template workbook #2, I need drop down lists containing the valid values in cell B2 (Department), C3 (Group), D3 (Category), E3 (Level), F3 (Material) and G3 (User Code). Notice that "Department", "Category" and "User Code" are data elements common between both workbooks but resident in different columns. Hope these examples help you understand my needs.

Thanks for any help offered!

Grilleman

Thanks Leith. This works for me.