
Disguise numbers as text in a data validation drop down.
Enable data entry only if a dependent cell is filled.Related Tutorials on Data Validation in Excel: So it is safe not to move the message box. Click ok. Now whenever you either click on the cell or select it using keyboard, it would display the message.Ĭaut ion: If you move the message box from its position, then all the message box will be shown at that position only.In the Input message tab, enter Title (max 32 characters, optional) and Input Message (max 256 characters).Ensure that ‘Show input message when cell is selected’ check box is selected.In Data Validation dialogue box, select Input Message tab.Select any cell and then go to Data tab –> Data Validation.However, it is alright of people enter it in any other format, as capturing the data is of prime importance.
However, for the sake of consistency, it is better to get all the dates in one format. There could be multiple formats to enter the date (such as, or 01 Jan, 2014, or 1st Jan 2014). Suppose you have a list of employees and you want to get their joining date. When You Guide the User on What Data to Enter (all kinds of data entry is allowed)
Information Error – Displays the information error but lets user enter the data which is out of the specified range. Warning Error – Displays the warning error but lets user enter the data which is out of the specified range. Stop Error – Displays the stop error and does not let user enter the data which is out of the specified range. You can customize the error message by going to the Error Alert tab in the Data Validation dialogue box. This can be enabled by changing the error message settings. However, the data entry is still allowed. While the earlier section was about restricting the user to a specified range while entering data, this section is about warning the user if any out-of-range data is entered. When you want to inform user whenever out-of-range data is entered (all kinds of data entry is allowed) Whenever you enter any data in a cell that violates the specified condition, it shows an error. For example, if I use the formula =A1>10, then only numbers greater than 10 are allowed in cell A1. Custom – Allows values that meets the specified criteria. Text Length – Allows text with the condition on its length. Time – Allows time (or its number value) to be entered, with additional conditions such as greater/less than, between/not between, equal to/not equal to. Date – Allows dates (or its number value) to be entered, with additional conditions such as greater/less than, between/not between, equal to/not equal to. List – Creates a drop down by taking a list of items (through range selection or named range). Decimal – Allows numbers with decimals to be entered, with additional conditions such as greater/less than, between/not between, equal to/not equal to. Whole Number – Allows only whole numbers to be entered, with additional conditions such as greater/less than, between/not between, equal to/not equal to. Any Value – Allows any value to be entered in a cell. In the drop-down list, you can choose the condition you want to apply for a range of cells This feature can be accessed by opening the data validation dialogue box and selecting the Settings option Once specified, it does not allow the user to enter anything that is out of that specified range. Let’s us go through these situations one by one: When you want to restrict data entry to certain numbers/text/datesĭata validation allows you to specify a condition for data entry in a cell/cells in Excel. When you guide the user on what data to enter. However, all kinds of data entry is allowed. When you want to inform user whenever out-of-range data is entered. Data that does not meet the validation criteria is not allowed. When you want to restrict data entry to certain numbers/text/dates. In most cases, there are three situations where you would want to use Data Validation in Excel: You can also use data validation functionality to create an Excel drop down list (which is definitely one of the coolest and most powerful features in Excel) Accessing Data Validation in Excelĭata Validation in Excel can be accessed through the Data tab in the Ribbon. You can restrict the user to enter only a specified range of numbers or text or date. Data Validation in Excel lets you control the data that can be entered in a cell.