Creating a Dropdown box

[Puttick]

Simple query I am sure but here we go:

I am trying to generate a table including one column that will be a dropdown box with a list of names of the people I work with. I have managed to generate a dropdown box with the names but what I want to do is almost change a cell from a cell to a dropdown box. Is this possible as I want to autoformat that column as well so I can monitor what work has been done by which person.

 

[erik.van.geit]

Hi, Puttick
Welcome to the Board !!!!!

not sure what you mean
take a look at validation in the menu data
considering you named your list "names_list"
in the validation box choose "list"
as source type
=names_list

kind regards,
Erik

 

[Puttick]

Thanks for the quick response

So far to generate the dropdown box I used a combo box and then just selected a range of cells (through format control) that include the names of the people that I want to use.

I could just type their names in each time but I wanted to get used to creating dropdowns as I need them in the near future so this is just a test at the moment.

 

[erik.van.geit]

you're welcome !!
not sure if this is still a question ?

 

[Puttick]

I just thought I better let you know how I have done it so far I didnt create a list as far as I know.

I am not sure where the validation data is either so I cant check that.

I get the feeling I am getting in over my head with my pretty much basic excel knowledge. Do you think it is wise that I just stick to typing the names in and seek help later when I have something that i cant get around some other way?

 

[erik.van.geit]

validation step by step:
1. create a list of allowed entries in a column
example
A1: AAA
A2: BBB
A3: CCC
A4: DDD
2. select the list
example
select A1:A4
3. goto Insert | Name | Define and in the Names in workbook box give this list a name example: MyValList
4. highlight the cells you want to validate
5. goto Data | Validation | select List from the Allow box
6. in the Source box, enter =MyValList, where MyListName is the name you used in step 3 above
7. In-cell dropdown should be checked
8. goto Error alert tab: Stop has to be selected in the Style box
9. add Input Message and error messages as desired

 

[Puttick]

Thank you very much!

That is fantastic, it all worked perfectly.