How to change multiple combo cells in excel - excel

Iam new here so pls dont be mad if this is described problem:
In five cells I have list of five values. Then I have three another cells, which are combo cells. In each combo is possible to choose one of those five values.
I need to implement one another combo cell (also with those five values) with this functionality: When I change value in this new combo, all three combos above must change their values to this new value. After this, changing values in those three combos must be still possible.
How can I do this? Do I need macros or is there some easy way?
Thnx for help...

For the existing 3 'combo' cells you have, go to the Data Validation menu, select the Error Alert tab and uncheck the 'Show error alert...' option. Select OK.
This now allows you to enter any value in to that cell, and still have the drop down list menu.
Now you can go ahead and do something as simple as typing =F3 (or whatever the location of the new 'combo' cell), i.e. so that it will update with the value of the new selection, otherwise keep the value of the list choice. Example screenshot below...

Related

Excel Formula too long for Data Validation dropdown list and challenging with Named Range

This is my first my post here, so please correct me where I am not clear with my question.
What do I want
I want to create a dropdown, where in column 'N' I can make a dropdown choice, which limits what I can see in column 'O'.
So, if I choose in column 'N' for 'single_choice', I can only see the options that apply to 'single choice' in column 'O'.
For hours I am trying to get this formula work in Excel "Data Validation" for the list dropdown option.
=IF($N$2="family.single_choice",'Data Formatting'!$N$2:$N$4,
IF($N$2="family.matrix",'Data Formatting'!$N$6:$N$10,
IF($N$2="family.open_ended",'Data Formatting'!$N$11:$N$14,
IF($N$2="family.demographic",'Data Formatting'!$N$15:$N$16,
IF($N$2="family.datetime",'Data Formatting'!$N$17:$N$19,
IF($N$2="family.multiple_choice",'Data Formatting'!$N$5,
IF($N$2="family.presentation",'Data Formatting'!$N$20:$N$21)))))))
To make it a dropdown, I tried to place the formula in 'Data Validation'.
A shorter version of the formula worked fine, but when I tried to paste the entire formula, it became a challenge to paste same in Data Validation.
After some searching through the internet, I learned that 'Data Validation' allows for a maximum of character.
Through below link of someone with the same question, I learned that I could solve the challenge by applying the formula in a 'Named Range' with a 'fix' in Excel.
See below the link that I found and used:
Excel-VBA Assistance - Data Validation too long, need alternative
As below, I placed the formula in a named range called: 'SubtypeFormula" with the 'fix' at the front and end of the formula.
`=IF($N$2="family.single_choice",'Data Formatting'!$N$2:$N$4,
IF($N$2="family.matrix",'Data Formatting'!$N$6:$N$10,
IF($N$2="family.open_ended",'Data Formatting'!$N$11:$N$14,
IF($N$2="family.demographic",'Data Formatting'!$N$15:$N$16,
IF($N$2="family.datetime",'Data Formatting'!$N$17:$N$19,
IF($N$2="family.multiple_choice",'Data Formatting'!$N$5,
IF($N$2="family.presentation",'Data Formatting'!$N$20:$N$21)))))))'
After several tries of adding the formula named 'SubtypeFormula' in Data Validation, I did not manage to get the dropdown option as I wanted. Instead, the exact formula was either shown, or the dropdown was empty.
Unfortunately all my attempts have failed. Please see attached print screen.
Figure 1 ---> this is what I ideally want, but in a dropdown version.
This picture shows the formula in the cell. The formula works in the cell, but it is not a dropdown option.
Figure 2 --> This is what I should do to create the dropdown function, but the formula is too long.
When I placed and used the name of my formula in Data Validation, I don't see the dropdown as intended in figure 1.
Print screens of two figures -

Excel data validation by typing instead of selection

I am struggling with the autocomplete list in my excel document.
I was trying to use the example from OzGrid
https://www.ozgrid.com/Excel/autocomplete-validation.htm
But it seems like this step is not explained well enough.
First of all, I did step one by linking my cells between these 2 sheets.
[![enter image description here][1]][1]
In both "Frontsheet" and "Locality" the list range is from C51 to C67, as per the OzGrid advice.
Next the step with [Dynamic Ranges][2] probably refers to older versions of Excel with traditional menu, where we could select the "Tools" from the bar. Now in Excel 2016 I believe, that it should be like follows:
Formulas - Name manager - New... where we put our name, scope and refers to (range). I have created the Myrange
[![enter image description here][3]][3]
and finally, I put the formula (assuming that the C50 is my dropdown list cell):
=OFFSET(Frontsheet!$C$50,0,0,MATCH("*",Frontsheet!$C$51:$C$67,-1),1)
but I am getting nothing apart of #N/A
I don't know what's next.
I don't want to use VBA this time, because I want to have these lists allocated to the specified cells. I want to search the records by typing not by selecting since I have got them quite a lot. Is it possible?
This question is somewhat a duplicate to the previous ones, which unfortunately didn't bring me the solution.
Excel 2010: how to use autocomplete in validation list
Excel data validation with suggestions/autocomplete
Your formula =OFFSET(Frontsheet!$C$50,0,0,MATCH("*",Frontsheet!$C$51:$C$67,-1),1) shouldn't return anything but #N/A when entered in a cell because it defiens a range which Excel can't display in a single cell. However, you can use it to define a named range and then use that name to define a Data Validation list.
MATCH("*",Frontsheet!$C$51:$C$67,-1) doesn't work reliably if there are numbers in the lookup range. You might replace it with COUNTA(Frontsheet!$C$51:$C$67) which can deal with numbers or text equally well. The difference is that MATCH will produce the entire list, including intervening blanks, while COUNTA will truncate the list at the bottom by as many rows as there are blanks higher up. Either way, one usually avoids blanks in the source for a validation list.
If you want the user to be able to either choose or enter, you must disable Show alert after invalid data is entered on the Error Alert tab of the Data Validation dialog box, where you set up the validation rules.
The OzGrid solution is poorly written and deceptive. It is simply capitalizing on AutoComplete for cell values. There is no magic in linking to another sheet and using offset or in creating a named reference.
All you need to do is add a list of values you intend to use in the column above the column. Avoid empty rows between this list of 'default' values and what you intend to enter.
Skipped rows 'break' AutoComplete for cells.
But can be resolved by adding an adjacent contiguous 'indexing' column.

Update dynamic drop-down list in excel without VBA

I want to create 2 dependent drop-down lists in excel, first drop-down value decides what value has to be displayed for the second dropdown.
Used following OFFSET formula for second dropdown values to get populated dynamically.
=OFFSET($B$2,MATCH($G$3,$B$3:$B$17,0),1,COUNTIF($B$3:$B$17,$G$3),1)
. I have also prepared a sample file showcasing the formulas I have used.
When I select first dropdown value, second dropdown list gets updated. BUT, when I select another value in first dropdown, second list doesn't showcase the values immediately.
Sample file link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rwt6B-INgrQ0NgxIl-Nc8JeoGziBaiL2/view?usp=sharing
Now that's what I call a challenging request.
We will use the secret Evaluate formula to achieve this.
Disclaimer:
Ensure that a status never get separated from its peers (e.g. do not add another New at the end of the table, rather insert a column so that statuses stay in packs).
Note that changing status will not clear the definition cell. Simple VBA will do the trick (and that is the only place where you will need VBA).
Solution:
Let's create a formula that returns a the address of the range we want to use in the dropdown. You can paste that it I3.
=ADDRESS(ROW(OFFSET($C$2,MATCH($G3,$B$3:$B$17,0),0)), COLUMN($C$2)) & ":" & ADDRESS(ROW(OFFSET($C$2,MATCH($G3,$B$3:$B$17,0)+COUNTIF($B$3:$B$17,$G3)-1,0)),COLUMN($C$2))
If I made no mistake with my French Excel, you should get the address of all the definitions for the status you put in G3. Extend the formula a few rows down and you will see it always matches G4, G5 and so on.
Time to define a Name (Menu Formula > Name manager > New), that we will call DynamicRange.
First, I would recommend to change the scope to your worksheet (Dropdown in the window).
Next, put the very formula we tried before, but in an EVALUATE.
=EVALUATE(ADDRESS(ROW(OFFSET($C$2,MATCH($G3,$B$3:$B$17,0),0)), COLUMN($C$2)) & ":" & ADDRESS(ROW(OFFSET($C$2,MATCH($G3,$B$3:$B$17,0)+COUNTIF($B$3:$B$17,$G3)-1,0)),COLUMN($C$2)))
Here what it looks like (except I'm all in French ...)
Go back to data validation and in the list's source, simply type =DynamicRange
The list is easy to define once the above was done successfully.
I see what you are trying to accomplish (get the second cell value to auto update to the first list entry), but I do not think it is possible without using VBA.
My understanding is that "Data Validation" only verifies the data within the cell, it does not change the existing value.
If you want to change the existing value, then I would look into VBA.

Excel drag handle auto-fill giving erroneous values (from cache/memory)

I use the auto-fill handle very often; both dragging and double-clicking. I need it, so I don't want to disable it in the options. However, I have certain situations where I'm just trying to copy down values to the next cells, and it appears Excel is using some type of memory/cache to auto-fill them with crazy values. I recognize the values; but there is no rhyme or reason as to why it's auto-filling them at this moment in time.
Example: There are no formulas in any of these cells and this is just a brand new sheet in Excel. I want to grab handle of cell B10 and copy it down to B14:
Now, I wish I could record a little clip of me copying this down so you can see it change the values live, but I promise you, this is what the values get changed to, and it has no relation to the values above it in the same column or anywhere in this sheet and there are zero formulas anywhere; just a simple table being populated:
What can I do to get this to copy the correct values? This has created errors in other tables where I didn't catch it populating the cells incorrectly in time.
My colleague has been suffering this exact problem and his solution is detailed below:
Go into Advanced Options and under General click on Edit Custom Lists button and you should find your values listed there. If so, you can delete them from this list and the problem should go away
Good luck!

Excel Drop Down + search function

I have a drop down with a lot of list in it.
Its taking a long time just to search / scrolling down through the list.
is there any way to make it easier? For example: I can extend the scroll range longer (which is currently 8 items only), or maybe some sort of AutoComplete by typing the item name.
Its just basically to search the item easier in the drop down list.
Thanks!
You can use:
Cascading dropdown (such as xls cascading lookup based on pivot table style datasource? and http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal02.html)
Use a formula in the Named Range for your List Validation that will simulate an autocomplete
Create a named range Test with this kind of formula :
=OFFSET($A$2,MATCH($C$1&"*",$A:$A,0)-2,0,COUNT($A:$A))
Where:
your list of data is in column A (values should be sorted alphabetically)
the current cell where you are applying the validation on is C1
Then you can:
start typing the text you want in cell A1, for instance Wash
then click on the drop-down list
the dropdown list will begin at Whashington and so on
I've just translated it from one of my old workbook so tell me if anything doesn't work.
[EDIT] Just a quick test seem to make it work (you should also restrain the end of the list for the beauty of the formula)

Resources