extract name from inputting partial text

[jlutz]

Hi Everyone,
I've searched this forum as well as Excel is fun and haven't been able to locate what I'm looking for.

I have a column which is currently in data validation to bring up all of the names on a different worksheet. It works fine but all of the names appear in the drop-down box.

I'm trying to make things more efficient by inputting a letter (a) in a cell and having all the names (first last) appear to be selected. So by inputting "A", any name beginning with "A" would appear, i.e. Aaron Smith, Andrew Jones, etc. Obviously, this would work with all letters.

I trust that makes sense.

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[VoG]

Try this http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal14.html

 

[jlutz]

Peter, thanks for that link but I don't think it solves the problem.

 

[VoG]

In what way did it not work?

 

[jlutz]

It brought up the entire list. I'm only looking for names beginning with the particular letter. Similarly to how excel works when inputting text down the same column, on the same worksheet. It autofills if I input a letter in the active cell, contents from cells above it.

 

[VoG]

If you start typing it should narrow down the list.

 

[jlutz]

Thanks Peter, I'll give in another try. fingers are crossed!

 

[jlutz]

I tried it again Peter and I still come up with a cell that has the names but I still cannot input a single letter and have the corresponding names come up.

 

[VoG]

Did you do this

1. In the Properties window, click in the MatchEntry property
2. From the dropdown list, select 1-frmMatchEntryComplete

 

[jlutz]

Peter, something isn't right because I don't get either of those options available to me.