I created an Excel add-in called “Search deList”, to create searchable data validation

Akuini

Well-known Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2016
Messages
4,981
Office Version
  1. 365
Platform
  1. Windows
I created an add-in called “Search deList”, and I share it as a freeware.
Its function is to speed up searching in data validation list. In any cell that has data validation (with List type) pressing ALT+RIGHT will open a Userform with a combobox. You can type multiple keywords (separated by a space) in the combobox and the list will be narrowed down as you type.
I’d be appreciate if anyone can test this add-in to find any bugs or just suggesting ideas to improve its functionality.
Also, the code is not protected by password, so if anyone needs to change or add specific feature or behavior then feel free to amend the code, and if you need help for that I’ll help if I can.

How it works:
  • In any cell that has data validation (with List type) pressing ALT+RIGHT will open a Userform with a combobox.
  • Type some keywords to search, separated by a space, e.g "ma la"
  • The list will be narrowed down as you type.
  • The search ignores the keywords order, so the keyword "ma la" would match "Maryland" and "Alabama".
  • You can use up-down arrow to select an item, then hit ENTER, the selected item will be inserted into the cell, and the userform will be closed.
  • You can also use single-click to select an item, then DOUBLE-CLICK inside the box, the selected item will be inserted into the cell, and the userform will be closed.
  • To leave the combobox without inserting its value to the activecell: hit TAB or ESC
  • Numeric values in the list will be treated as text.
  • In the Status Bar you can see how many unique items are found & displayed.
  • You don't need VBA (except if you want to use additional feature as I explain below), so you can save your workbook as .xlsx.
Additional feature :
If you want, you can also activate the userform by double-clicking a cell, but you need VBA to do that. Here’s how:
Copy-paste this code into Thisworkbook code window of your workbook:
VBA Code:
Private Sub Workbook_SheetBeforeDoubleClick(ByVal Sh As Object, ByVal Target As Range, Cancel As Boolean)
If TypeName(Selection) = "Range" Then
    Dim v
    On Error Resume Next
        v = ActiveCell.Validation.Type
    On Error GoTo 0
    'if activecell has data validation type 3
    'run "Search deList" add-in by doubke-clicking a cell
    If v = 3 Then Cancel = True: Application.Run ("toShow__dheeDAV")
End If
End Sub
Now, in every sheet, double-clicking any cell that has data validation (with List type) will open the Userform.

Image:

image Search deList.jpg


How to use it:
  1. Install the add-in. This article explains how to install an add-in: How to install or uninstall an Excel Add-in - Excel Off The Grid
  2. Open any workbook that has data validation (with list type).
  3. In any cell that has data validation, pressing ALT+RIGHT will open a Userform with a combobox.
  4. Play with it & see how it works.
NOTES:
  • This add-in also works on dependent data validation.
  • It works on large list (I tested it on 100K rows of data).
  • One caveat of using macro is when macro changes/writes something on sheet it will delete Undo Stack, so at that time you can't use UNDO. In this case it happens every time the combobox value is inserted into the active cell.

Search_deList_v1 add-in:
Search_deList_v1

=========================================================================================

Update, 2022-Nov-18:
Search deList v.2.1 + manual.zip, it works on Excel 2007 or later:

Search deList v.365.1 + manual.zip, it works on Excel 365 or later

This new version has some additional features, some of them:
Several ways to search, like using AND or OR or LIKE operator , with or without keyword order.
Sort the list by original order or ascending order.
Widen or shorten the combobox width at run time.
Insert multiple entries into the cell.

=======================================================================================

Regards,
Akuini
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Excel Facts

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Why can't spreadsheets drive cars? They crash too often!
Problem solved. You must remove the add-in, close excel, then open excel and add the add-in from the new folder location.

Response from Andreas Killer on this site:

 
Upvote 0
I received the Microsoft feature today that does this.
 
Upvote 0
I created an add-in called “Search deList”, and I share it as a freeware.
Its function is to speed up searching in data validation list. In any cell that has data validation (with List type) pressing ALT+RIGHT will open a Userform with a combobox. You can type multiple keywords (separated by a space) in the combobox and the list will be narrowed down as you type.
I’d be appreciate if anyone can test this add-in to find any bugs or just suggesting ideas to improve its functionality.
Also, the code is not protected by password, so if anyone needs to change or add specific feature or behavior then feel free to amend the code, and if you need help for that I’ll help if I can.

How it works:
  • In any cell that has data validation (with List type) pressing ALT+RIGHT will open a Userform with a combobox.
  • Type some keywords to search, separated by a space, e.g "ma la"
  • The list will be narrowed down as you type.
  • The search ignores the keywords order, so the keyword "ma la" would match "Maryland" and "Alabama".
  • You can use up-down arrow to select an item, then hit ENTER, the selected item will be inserted into the cell, and the userform will be closed.
  • You can also use single-click to select an item, then DOUBLE-CLICK inside the box, the selected item will be inserted into the cell, and the userform will be closed.
  • To leave the combobox without inserting its value to the activecell: hit TAB or ESC
  • Numeric values in the list will be treated as text.
  • In the Status Bar you can see how many unique items are found & displayed.
  • You don't need VBA (except if you want to use additional feature as I explain below), so you can save your workbook as .xlsx.
Additional feature :
If you want, you can also activate the userform by double-clicking a cell, but you need VBA to do that. Here’s how:
Copy-paste this code into Thisworkbook code window of your workbook:
VBA Code:
Private Sub Workbook_SheetBeforeDoubleClick(ByVal Sh As Object, ByVal Target As Range, Cancel As Boolean)
If TypeName(Selection) = "Range" Then
    Dim v
    On Error Resume Next
        v = ActiveCell.Validation.Type
    On Error GoTo 0
    'if activecell has data validation type 3
    'run "Search deList" add-in by doubke-clicking a cell
    If v = 3 Then Cancel = True: Application.Run ("toShow__dheeDAV")
End If
End Sub
Now, in every sheet, double-clicking any cell that has data validation (with List type) will open the Userform.

Image:

View attachment 52701

How to use it:
  1. Install the add-in. This article explains how to install an add-in: How to install or uninstall an Excel Add-in - Excel Off The Grid
  2. Open any workbook that has data validation (with list type).
  3. In any cell that has data validation, pressing ALT+RIGHT will open a Userform with a combobox.
  4. Play with it & see how it works.
NOTES:
  • This add-in also works on dependent data validation.
  • It works on large list (I tested it on 100K rows of data).
  • One caveat of using macro is when macro changes/writes something on sheet it will delete Undo Stack, so at that time you can't use UNDO. In this case it happens every time the combobox value is inserted into the active cell.

Search_deList_v1 add-in:
Search_deList_v1

=========================================================================================

Update, 2022-Nov-18:
Search deList v.2.1 + manual.zip, it works on Excel 2007 or later:

Search deList v.365.1 + manual.zip, it works on Excel 365 or later

This new version has some additional features, some of them:
Several ways to search, like using AND or OR or LIKE operator , with or without keyword order.
Sort the list by original order or ascending order.
Widen or shorten the combobox width at run time.
Insert multiple entries into the cell.

=======================================================================================

Regards,
Akuini
Hello Mr Akuini,
I have some stupid questions about the function "Insert multiple entries into the cell." Your add-in is working fine for single entry into the cell but when I tried to select and insert multiple ones, nothing worked for me. I tried to use key "F9" like you said but it did not allow me to add more into the cell. Would you be so kind to send me a gift or short video showing how to do this specific function ?
Thanks a lot and God bless you.
 
Upvote 0
when I tried to select and insert multiple ones, nothing worked for me. I tried to use key "F9" like you said but it did not allow me to add more into the cell.
Sorry if the instruction to do that is not pretty clear.
Use F9 to enter multiple entries then finish with Esc instead of Enter.
 
Upvote 0
Thanks a lot. It turned out that F9 on my keyboard is not working properly. Once fixed, it worked really fine and I did introduce your work to my colleagues. They really love it!
Glad it worked & thanks for the feedback.:)
 
Upvote 0

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