prevent entry if a certain cell is empty.

[Harvey Waxman]

How can I prevent entry in a cell if a certain other cell is empty?

Say A1 is blank and I want to prevent entry in D1 and perhaps pop up a
warning.


Using OSX

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

How can I prevent entry in a cell if a certain other cell is empty?

Say A1 is blank and I want to prevent entry in D1 and perhaps pop up a
warning.


Using OSX

You can do this with data validation. Select Custom and enter =len($a$1)=0.
Then set up your error message.

 

[Harvey Waxman]

You can do this with data validation. Select Custom and enter =len($a$1)=0.
Then set up your error message.

Did it. Problem is that whether a1 is empty or not the message always
appears. Any idea why?

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Did it. Problem is that whether a1 is empty or not the message always

An input message will always appear. You want an error alert.

 

[Harvey Waxman]

An input message will always appear. You want an error alert.

Now this is very strange.

In order to do what I want I had to rewrite the formula the exact
opposite of what I thought it should be and what you confirmed.
Validation for M1 is: =LEN(A1)<>0 . Now, when A1 is blank the
warning works!

Also the error alert won't appear unless I also check the input message
and leave the message blank.

What am I missing here?

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Now this is very strange.

In order to do what I want I had to rewrite the formula the exact
opposite of what I thought it should be and what you confirmed.
Validation for M1 is: =LEN(A1)<>0 . Now, when A1 is blank the
warning works!

Also the error alert won't appear unless I also check the input message
and leave the message blank.

What am I missing here?

Yes, I got it backwards sorry. That's what I get for not testing. Do you
have ignore blanks unchecked? When I try it the error appears properly
regardless of the input message.

Sorry, I won't be able to follow up with you for a few days. I'll be "off
the air" until Tuesday.

 

[Harvey Waxman]

Yes, I got it backwards sorry. That's what I get for not testing. Do you
have ignore blanks unchecked? When I try it the error appears properly
regardless of the input message.

Ignore blanks is unchecked. I'd like you to explain why this does what
it does when it seems that the opposite is true. I'll wait till you get
back. Have a good time.