retrieve entry from a list in excel

[TerryLopeman]

i have designed a speadsheet that when you enter a part of a full piece (
like the top rail of a gate) you pick the type of metal ( like 1-1/2" square
tubing) you need for that piece from a drop down list. This works ok except
the materials list is 800 items long and everyone complains about having to
scroll thru a list that long for every part needed. Is there a way 1. to jump
to a specific place in the list ( say to Square Tubing) 2. pick the size you
need 3. then return that choice on the same line as the part your are working
on ( C1).
A1 B1 C1
top rail square tube drop-down list (would return size here) 1-1/2" x
1-1/2"
post square tube drop-down list (would return size here) 2" x 2"

Thanks for any help!

 

[Tom Ogilvy]

Are you using Data Validation to produce the dropdown?

If so, you would use the find command to find the Square Tubing in your data
base and pre-enter the first value in the cell of the dropdown list.

assume your Square Tube

To get more specific would require more specific knowledge, If you want to
send me your workbook and data set, I could take a look
(e-mail address removed)