Filter names with first 4 letters

hello list,

attached is a sample document
the NAMES sheet gives the data. first we must fill in the data in NAMES sheet. the ACTUAL LIST is the one that we chose who will make up the team.
what i want is to type the first 4 letters and get a drop down filtered list of the names and chose the correct person. once the person is chosen automatically other columns get filled in. in the ACTUAL LIST sheet, only the NAMES column should have the feature to select the names of person appearing in the NAMES sheet. other columns should be grayed.

hope you can assist me and thank you in advance for same

best regards
rizvi

dear all,

YES, i have attached the wrong file for which i apologies. here goes the correct one!

rizvi

hi naveed,

sorry for late reply.

1. there can be duplicate names having same details as per other columns in the NAMES sheet. this may occur due to an oversight duplicated entry from our side. the NAME sheet is used like data entry. we type all the details of the workers in it's designated columns.
2. BUT, the ACTUAL NAMES sheet cannot have any duplicate names. however if the same name is selected then it should check for the passport number as the passport number cannot be duplicated. well many can have the same name but with different passport numbers of course.
3. my idea is that when the cursor is placed in the names column of the ACTUAL NAMES sheet, the full list as appearing in the names column of the NAMES sheet should appear, something like a drop down list (if we do data validation then we need to select the arrow but this is not what i want). then when the 4th letter is typed, automatically it gives a list of the names having those letters (the 4 letters could be from the first name of the last name or the middle name etc etc). then i select the appropriate name and press ENTER? then automatically the full details (entire row) of that person will appear. then i move to the next row of the name column in the ACTUAL NAMES sheet and continue........
4. may be we can use data validation but not sure about it

look forward to hear from you

many thanks
rizvi

hi naveed,

sorry for late reply.

1. there can be duplicate names having same details as per other columns in the NAMES sheet. this may occur due to an oversight duplicated entry from our side. the NAME sheet is used like data entry. we type all the details of the workers in it's designated columns.
2. BUT, the ACTUAL NAMES sheet cannot have any duplicate names. however if the same name is selected then it should check for the passport number as the passport number cannot be duplicated. well many can have the same name but with different passport numbers of course.
3. my idea is that when the cursor is placed in the names column of the ACTUAL NAMES sheet, the full list as appearing in the names column of the NAMES sheet should appear, something like a drop down list (if we do data validation then we need to select the arrow but this is not what i want). then when the 4th letter is typed, automatically it gives a list of the names having those letters (the 4 letters could be from the first name of the last name or the middle name etc etc). then i select the appropriate name and press ENTER? then automatically the full details (entire row) of that person will appear. then i move to the next row of the name column in the ACTUAL NAMES sheet and continue........
4. may be we can use data validation but not sure about it

look forward to hear from you

many thanks
rizvi

my friend,
it works beautifully! thank you! just what i needed..... now my question would be how do i get this code into my working sheet? the NAMES sheet is stowed in a different location in my computer and it got about say 2000 names entered in it.

thank you in advance naveed.....

regards
rizvi

hello naveed,

further to my last posting, my intention is to place the NAMES sheet in dropbox so that one or more persons can perform data entry whilst placing the ACTUAL NAMES sheet in each desktop. i prefer to place both in drop box BUT i guess the ACTUAL NAMES sheet will not function properly.

regards
rizvi

hi naveed,

first, i already did the add reputation part. that was important over others as you have already helped.....
sorry but i am totally new to this VB stuff. i did all along simple formulas and created stuff but VB is something that i am learning after joining your forum.

best wishes
rizvi