+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Data Validation and linking columns

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-13-2006
    Posts
    46

    Data Validation and linking columns

    I have a work book with 2 sheets in it. One is for the user to enter data and the second sheet (Eq List) is where the pulldowns for Sheet1 are created. I initially had it working fine but had to add 1 more column to the table on Eq List sheet to make it easier to fill in the form. What I need to do, on Sheet1, I need pulldowns for Department, Group, and Equipment Name. When the user selects a category for Department, it should limit the next pulldown, Group, to only the groups within that Department. Once the required Group is selected it should limit the choices in the next pulldown, Equipment Name, to only the names in that group for that department. Once those 3 pulldowns are filled in, the Equipment Number should automatically pull the number from the table on Eq List sheet. I am attaching a sample to make it easier to understand. If anyone could help me out on this would be appreciated.
    Attached Files Attached Files
    Last edited by Lvenom; 03-13-2010 at 01:41 PM.

  2. #2
    Forum Guru DonkeyOte's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-22-2008
    Location
    Northumberland, UK
    MS-Off Ver
    O365
    Posts
    21,531

    Re: Data Validation and linking columns

    There will be better methods but using the setup you have - try modifying as follows:
    (overwrite what's in the file already if implied by references)

    Please Login or Register  to view this content.

    Now revise / create Define Names:

    Please Login or Register  to view this content.
    Now modify Data Validation settings on Sheet1 - as follows:

    Please Login or Register  to view this content.
    Notes:

    a) given your equipment names are duplicated but have differing ID #s this # is included in the description such that each item in the list is unique.

    b) given nature of above calcs it won't be quick - you could streamline using Matches etc but I figured the fewer changes the better

    If you have more data than listed here the above is not an approach I'd pursue as it will become too slow.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-13-2006
    Posts
    46

    Re: Data Validation and linking columns

    Thank you for the response. I have tried what you have stated and it does work fine, a little slow but still works. I do have much more data than what was in the file I supplied. There are over 3,000 rows of equipment on the Eq List sheet. If you have another approach that will work quicker I'd be interested in hearing/learning about it. Again thank you for taking the time to look at this.

  4. #4
    Forum Guru DonkeyOte's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-22-2008
    Location
    Northumberland, UK
    MS-Off Ver
    O365
    Posts
    21,531

    Re: Data Validation and linking columns

    What you want to do will always prove a little cumbersome with formulae given sheer volume of data however perhaps the attached approach will be of interest to you ?

    You will note that the yellow range (assumed to be inputs) is sorted by Col A, B & C (in that order) - this is of critical importance - if A:D is not sorted in this manner the approach will not work.
    sorting data permits use of more efficient approaches than would otherwise be the case

    The remaining cells are formula driven and are used to generate 3 named ranges, specifically:

    DeptList
    GroupList
    EquipList (as before this is a concatenation of MachID & Desc)
    These three lists are set as Validation source on Sheet1 for B6, B8 & B10 respectively.

    Given the Volatility has been removed using this approach performance should be improved from before.
    Attached Files Attached Files

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-13-2006
    Posts
    46

    Re: Data Validation and linking columns

    Thank you DonkeyOte. Worked just fine. Once I understood what you had done, had to make a modification to seperate the name from the number as that worked better for my application. This is a great learning site and again thank you.

+ Reply to Thread

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 RC 1