Help with drop menus/validation please

[JEALOUSNEIGHBORS]

Hey guys- i have an issue. I have a workbook that has a sheet that is a contract template for construction estimates. In the body of the contract in column a is a drop menu where you can select out of 17 construction phases. This drop menu shows up in all rows of column a. In column b, i would like to have another drop menu that depending on which phase is selected in column a, it will give a list of descriptions to pick from, that correlate to that phase. Ultimately i will be able to build a construction estimate by selecting phases and then descriptions for each phase which i currently have listed on another sheet. I know this is some type of validation but i cant seem to figure it out. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[AlphaFrog]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

They're called Dependent Data Validation Drop Down Lists. Here's a step-by-step guide.

Create Dependent Drop Down Lists

 

[JEALOUSNEIGHBORS]

Thanks Alphafrog...I have the drop down menus in column A & B now. A shows the 17 phases that you can pick from but only the first 4 phases when selected have something in column B to choose from. The other phases show a drop menu but when you click the arrow it doesn't do anything. I had someone help build the first part of this and they only went so far with setting me up assuming I would be able to mimic what they did for the rest. On a different sheet of the workbook, I have the descriptions for each phase. I tried highlighting those lists (columns) and renaming them in the name box but when I type "demo" which is the first phase in the name box after highlighting that column, it only recognizes the top few lines. I am trying to highlight 50 rows in each column so I can add descriptions as needed and they will show up in the drop boxes on the contract sheet. Basically, I have the first few phases and descriptions working properly so I'm 95% there. I just can't figure out how to continue the formulas, renaming or validation so everything works. I really appreciate your help. -JN

 

[AlphaFrog]

The column names have to be identical to the Phases in the 1st dropdown in column A.

 

[JEALOUSNEIGHBORS]

I highlighted the column and then entered the exact name "Demo" in the name bar and pressed enter but it will not rename everything that I selected. It switches from everything being highlighted to just the first 10-12 being highlighted as soon as I press enter. Would there be a reason that it won't let me rename more rows?

 

[AlphaFrog]

I suspect the first 10-12 are already named Demo. You would have to open the name manager and delete the named range called Demo then make a new one. Do a web search for something like Excel Name Manager and you will find several guides\videos\tutorials on how to edit a named range.

 

[JEALOUSNEIGHBORS]

That was it! Thanks! I deleted them all and renamed them all and its all working now. I really appreciate your help.