Change font size in drop down lists

Jac · May 6th, 2002, 11:46 PM

How do I increase the font size in my drop down lists? I often have to zoom my sheets smaller which makes the drop down boxes almost impossible to see. I'd like to up the text to about 14pt or higher - is this possible using the basic forms menu? Thanks!

Nimrod · May 7th, 2002, 01:26 AM

One easy way to accomplish this is to change what you use for your drop downs.
Instead of using the forms method use the data validation method.
1-Toolbar..Data..Validation..select "setting tab".
2-Under "allow" select list
3-in "source" txtbx type comma seperated list of items to select from
(if you need a dynamic list use a named group instead of hardcoded list)

4- To change font size etc just change the format of the cell you made the dropdown list in... you can change any format aspect of this cell

Mr Nick · May 7th, 2002, 01:48 AM

I have never been able to change font size or type in validation lists. Whatever the cell is formatted as, the validation list always uses default settings. If you have any luck in changing these settings, please let me know how you did it, because I and many others have tried and failed in the past.

Ivan F Moala · May 7th, 2002, 02:54 AM

Quote:

On 2002-05-07 00:48, Mr Nick wrote:
I have never been able to change font size or type in validation lists. Whatever the cell is formatted as, the validation list always uses default settings. If you have any luck in changing these settings, please let me know how you did it, because I and many others have tried and failed in the past.

Works for me in Excel2000
What version are you using 97??

Why not use the Combbox from the control Toolbox, there are more Properties avail
using this ActiveX control.
_________________
Kind Regards,
Ivan F Moala
Have a Nice day

[ This Message was edited by: Ivan F Moala on 2002-05-07 01:56 ]

Mr Nick · May 7th, 2002, 03:33 AM

I'm using Excel 97.

I have often tried and failed to use Wingdings formatting in validation boxes to enter ticks and crosses but although the cell is formatted as wingdings, the actual dropdown still shows ü and û. Also, the dropdown does not use the same text size as the cell.

Mr Nick · May 7th, 2002, 04:09 AM

I have just tried on 2002 and the validation list cannot be formatted on that either.

Ivan, does your actual list format change or just the cell?

I have tried using the combobox as you suggest but a lot of my sheets have formatting changes that occur on activation of certain macros and the combo boxes do not resize to match these changes. Is it possible to lock a combobox to a cell so it matches the cell size?

Ivan F Moala · May 7th, 2002, 04:22 AM

Quote:

On 2002-05-07 03:09, Mr Nick wrote:
I have just tried on 2002 and the validation list cannot be formatted on that either.

Ivan, does your actual list format change or just the cell?

I have tried using the combobox as you suggest but a lot of my sheets have formatting changes that occur on activation of certain macros and the combo boxes do not resize to match these changes. Is it possible to lock a combobox to a cell so it matches the cell size?

Hi Mr Nick...my appologies the ACTUAL list font doesn't change...was thinking about the
actual Cell....the dropdown list font
canot be changed AFAIK.

As far as the comboboxs go...
Just select them and on the Drawing Toolbar
Select > Draw > Snap > toGrid

Then just size to the cell...it won't allow
you to go out side of a cell.
Also set the combobox to [Move & size with cells] so that resizing cells will adj automatically.

Chris Davison · May 7th, 2002, 02:25 PM

Quote:

On 2002-05-07 03:22, Ivan F Moala wrote:
the dropdown list font
canot be changed AFAIK.

Ivan,

what's "AFAIK" ?

All fonts something ?

something something I know ?

ta
Chris

Jack in the UK · May 7th, 2002, 03:14 PM

as far as i know

Jac · May 7th, 2002, 06:16 PM

Thanks all for trying - I had hoped it was something simple but obviously not. How frustrating. BTW I've previously got around this problem by using the check box or option button and adding a text box on top. If your option button is big enough you can bring it to the front of the text box and if you click the word, your option button will trigger. Obviously this takes time - and space on the sheet! - but I've found it useful for less complicated sheets.

May 7th, 2002, 03:14 PM	#9
Jack in the UK Board Regular Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,065	as far as i know __________________ Free Excel based Web Toolbar available here. Jack in the UK J & R Excel Solutions "making Excel work for you"

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May 6th, 2002, 11:46 PM	#1
Jac New Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 37	How do I increase the font size in my drop down lists? I often have to zoom my sheets smaller which makes the drop down boxes almost impossible to see. I'd like to up the text to about 14pt or higher - is this possible using the basic forms menu? Thanks!

May 7th, 2002, 01:26 AM	#2
Nimrod MrExcel MVP Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Vancouver BC , Canada Posts: 6,259	One easy way to accomplish this is to change what you use for your drop downs. Instead of using the forms method use the data validation method. 1-Toolbar..Data..Validation..select "setting tab". 2-Under "allow" select list 3-in "source" txtbx type comma seperated list of items to select from (if you need a dynamic list use a named group instead of hardcoded list) 4- To change font size etc just change the format of the cell you made the dropdown list in... you can change any format aspect of this cell

May 7th, 2002, 01:48 AM	#3
Mr Nick Board Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 95	I have never been able to change font size or type in validation lists. Whatever the cell is formatted as, the validation list always uses default settings. If you have any luck in changing these settings, please let me know how you did it, because I and many others have tried and failed in the past.

May 7th, 2002, 03:33 AM	#5
Mr Nick Board Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 95	I'm using Excel 97. I have often tried and failed to use Wingdings formatting in validation boxes to enter ticks and crosses but although the cell is formatted as wingdings, the actual dropdown still shows ü and û. Also, the dropdown does not use the same text size as the cell.

May 7th, 2002, 04:09 AM	#6
Mr Nick Board Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 95	I have just tried on 2002 and the validation list cannot be formatted on that either. Ivan, does your actual list format change or just the cell? I have tried using the combobox as you suggest but a lot of my sheets have formatting changes that occur on activation of certain macros and the combo boxes do not resize to match these changes. Is it possible to lock a combobox to a cell so it matches the cell size?

May 7th, 2002, 06:16 PM	#10
Jac New Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 37	Thanks all for trying - I had hoped it was something simple but obviously not. How frustrating. BTW I've previously got around this problem by using the check box or option button and adding a text box on top. If your option button is big enough you can bring it to the front of the text box and if you click the word, your option button will trigger. Obviously this takes time - and space on the sheet! - but I've found it useful for less complicated sheets.