Resetting Data Validation

[Glaswegian]

My spreadsheet contains a number of cells where I've used data validation to present users with a choice of 4 options - they simply pick a letter and that is then printed when they eventually print the sheet. The cells will remain blank if not selected - this is dependent on the customer type etc. The workbook will be saved under a customer ref, so the validation cells will remain as originally chosen.

However, the next time the user opens the blank workbook(not the one saved with the customer ref) the validation cells should be blank/reset. Is it possible to do this?

 

[Andrew Poulsom]

Couldn't you save your blank workbook as a Template? When the user opens it (Using File|New) Excel will create a copy so that the original is not overwritten.

 

[Glaswegian]

Hi Andrew

I guess that is a possibility, although the users are a pretty diverse bunch, with many only having very basic PC skills. In some cases they'll be doing well if they can open and save the original file.

 

[jdee]

I'm not sure this is the best answer available, but this is how I solved a problem similiar to yours.

I recorded a macro called "answers_reset". What is did was blank all the answers to the selected answers and replace them with the answer "Answer Reset".

In this way the person opening the sheet would see all the questions to be chosen set at "answers reset". They then can choose their answer from the data validation choices. It also helps in that I can automatically tell if they have left a particular answer blank. Hope this helps. J.Dee

 

[Glaswegian]

Hi jdee

Thanks for your suggestion. I tried the following on workbook close

Worksheets("DFAS").Range("B16:B34").ClearContents.

This cleared the cells OK. Unfortunately, when I re-opened the saved workbook, the cells had indeed been cleared - but I really need to have the selections 'permanent' within the saved workbook. The code is fine for when the user re-opens the blank workbook.

Is it possible to ensure that the selections remain in place in the saved version but are cleared when the blank version is opened?

 

[Andrew Poulsom]

What's the name of the blank workbook? You could clear the cells when it's opened (instead of when it's closed), eg:

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
   If ThisWorkbook.Name = "Blank.xls" Then
      Worksheets("DFAS").Range("B16:B34").ClearContents
   End If
End Sub

 

[Glaswegian]

Thanks Andrew

If I'd stopped to think then that solution would have been obvious!!

Cheers.