Data Validation -- Help!!!

[Jeff Wright]

Hi, all !!

I have vertical data range which I named "DEALERS." In an adjacent column, I
set the data validation feature to "list," and entered "=DEALERS" in the
source box. This way, the user can select a dealer in the drop-down list.
However, if the user decides to type in a name that's not in the list, I
want an error message generated, which isn't happening!! How can I make the
data validation generate an error message when the user types in a name
which isn't on the list?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Jeff

 

[Earl Kiosterud]

Jeff,

If your list has an empty cell, be sure that "Ignore blank" is not selected.

 

[Debra Dalgleish]

Did you include blank cells in the named range, so you could add more
dealer names later? If so, users will be able to type any entry in the
cell with data validation. To prevent this, you can uncheck the 'Ignore
blank cells' checkbox in the Data Validation dialog box.

Or, instead of leaving blank cells, you could create a dynamic named
range. There are instructions here:

http://www.contextures.com/xlNames01.html#Dynamic

 

[Jeff Wright]

Unchecking "Ignore blank" box solved the problem!! Thanks for your help on
this!

Jeff

 

[Jeff Wright]

Thanks! Unchecking the "Ignore blank" box solved the problem. Thanks so
much for your help!!

Jeff

 

[Jeff Wright]

Thanks, Tom! I found that unchecking the "Ignore Blank" box solved my
problem.

Jeff