creating a drop-down list in a cell (NOT a combo or list box)

[Carrie]

Hi,
I want to create a list of items to chose from within a
cell, so that when you select the item you want, the cell
is populated and then the drop down goes to the next
cell. This is NOT a combo or list box based on what I've
been looking at. I want the cell to actually populate and
I want the selector to reside within each cell in the
column. I've seen this before at the last company I
worked at, but did not find out how they did it and am
kicking myself for it.

Thanks,
Carrie

 

[Dan E]

I think what your looking for is something like a lookup.

Example in columns A & B rows 1 through 8
A 1
B 2
C 3
D 4
E 5
F 6
G 7
H 8

in cell A10 a dropdown populated by A1:A8
in cell A11 =VLOOKUP(A10,A1:B8,2,FALSE)

will find the number next to the letter picked from the list

Dan E

 

[Carrie]

Hi Dan,

I'm trying to set it up the way you said and for some
reason the drop down is not activating. The only thing it
is doing is not allowing me to type what is not on the
list. I made sure the in-cell drop down was checked in
the settings tab under data validation. What else do I
need to turn on? An add-in?

Thanks again for your help.
C

 

[Dan E]

Carrie,

I can't see why it wouldn't work? As far as I know an add-in is not needed?
As long as it's set to list and the in cell dropdown is check it should
work?

Dan E

 

[Gord Dibben]

Carrie

I don't see a reference to an Excel version in your post.

With Excel 97 there was a bug in the DV.

If your DV cell is above the "freeze" line and you have Window>Freeze Panes
enabled the Arrow will not be shown.

Gord Dibben Excel MVP - XL97 SR2 & XL2002