Do Not Allow Duplicate Entries

[kylee]

Hello again y'all,
I have another formula question ...
I keep a log of return requests that have been submitted. All requests have a serial number. The log is quite lengthy, and will only get bigger as time goes on, so I'd like to have a formula check the serial number column (F) for that number.

Many of the serial numbers are exactly alike up to the last few digits, so if the first 10 match, that's fine -- the whole thing has to match exactly to be considered a duplicate.

If the number is located on another line, do not let the user input that serial number. Take the person back up to the line it's already on, or don't - doesn't matter. I just don't want multiple requests sent in for the same item(s), that'll tick off my vendors.

Y'all have already done wonders for my Excel knowledge. Not to mention my kudos with the boss! Thank you for your help in advance.

~Ky

 

[schielrn]

Have a look at data validation. Here are a couple different examples:

http://www.mrexcel.com/articles/prevent-excel-duplicates.php

http://www.ozgrid.com/Excel/prevent-duplicates.htm

Hope that helps.

 

[kylee]

schielrn,
Thanks for your quick reply! I went to the first link, did as directed in their instructions, and thought it worked. The cell did stop me when I tried to enter a duplicate serial number. But, it's also stopping me when there is no duplicate. lol ... going back to try and figure it out again. I didn't know what to search for (data validation) so I was just trying to search for not allowing duplicates. Now that I know, perhaps I can get it figured out. Thanks again!
~Ky

 

[kylee]

Got it! Thank you schielrn!!

 

[schielrn]

No problem, you probably had to set it to ignore empty cells maybe?

Glad you got it working.