Excel - Data Validation

Asked By wildturkeyno

09-Jul-08 03:35 PM

Using the list option, I have six entries that are separated by commas
entered in the data validation source box. These work fine. How to I add a
blank space as the first choice on the dropdown list?

Thanks

Kevin

09-Jul-08 06:30 PM

can you create a list?  I usualy have on another sheet select a range and
name the range , then in the Data validation, do list and "=rangename"

I did see where if you do list and even put a space and comma then the
items, it does not show a blank first , but the way above does.

09-Jul-08 06:33 PM

I usualy have all my lists on another page.  select the range and name the
range.  Then on the location you want a drop down, choose data / validation
and list and =rangename

I did see where  when you do a data / validation and put a blank then comma
then the list, it does not show the blank.  above will work or put a "."
first?

09-Jul-08 08:15 PM

Don

Good thoughts. I was aware of using separate lists, but for this sheet I
wanted to define the list as users may add or delete rows. Just cannot figure
out how to add a blank option this way.....

10-Jul-08 10:03 PM

What you can do is put a ',",^ etc as the first option - so your list is
',A,B,C,D. The first option shows up as ' but when chosen is a blank cell
(well essentially...)


Rob L

10-Jul-08 08:13 AM

I also think that your best bet is to create a list.  You can create a
separate worksheet, put the list on the new sheet and hide that sheet.  One
caveat is in the syntax for the validation list source.  Here's something I
picked up quite some time ago to help me remember the syntax...

'/===================================/
' Data Validation using a List from another worksheet or workbook

' Using a List from
'   On the Data Validation form,
'      on the Settings tab,
'         In the Validation Criteria area,
'           In the 'Allow' dropdown,
'              Select 'LIST'
'           When the List is in ANOTHER WORKSHEET in the same workbook:
'             The syntax in the 'SOURCE' RefEdit box should be
'                something like...
'                     =INDIRECT("'Sheet2'!A1:A5")
'
'           When the List is in a WORKSHEET in another WORKBOOK:
'             The syntax in the 'SOURCE' RefEdit box should be
'                something like...
'                     =INDIRECT("'C:\Temp\[Test.xls]Sheet2'!A1:A5")
'
'/===================================/

--
Hope this helps.
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Thanks,
Gary Brown

10-Jul-08 02:09 PM

Rob,

please check your system date - you seem to be a day ahead of the rest of
us.

Pete

10-Jul-08 02:25 PM

Or just the time.

Or the time zone????


--

Dave Peterson

11-Jul-08 10:27 PM

Far North Queensland Mate ! We're ahead of EVERYONE !

Rob L
(just checked, and the date and time are correct)

11-Jul-08 07:49 AM

Check your timezone.


--

Dave Peterson

12-Jul-08 01:41 AM

Better now ?

Actually what they say is "Welcome to Queensland. Turn your watch back 10
years..."

Rob L

11-Jul-08 09:40 AM

Nope.  Not yet.


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Dave Peterson

11-Jul-08 04:59 PM

Now ?

11-Jul-08 05:48 PM

It sure looks like it.

You post looks about 48 minutes (plus or minus a couple of minutes) from this
response.

(woohoo.  <vbg>)


--

Dave Peterson