This is found under Formulas > Name Manager. To remedy this, paste this formula in Name Manager. This is because data validation is unable to use this type of table referencing. You might receive a message box indicating a problem with the formula. However, the formula actually returns an array. Similar to method 1, a single value will be displayed on the cell. This can be dictated by a MATCH() formula. Since there is only one column for each table, there is no need to specify the column number. Since all rows should be included, skip this argument by using a comma. row_num = how many rows going down will be included.Select the other 2 columns in the same manner and enclose all 3 in parenthesis. Selecting it should now display the table name with the column name in square brackets: TableProd. To do this, hover over the header until a black arrow shows up. reference = instead of selecting an array of cells, the tables should be selected.There are two syntax options for INDEX(). The INDEX() formula can be used to make sure the correct Table is used as reference. Setup formula for data validation criteria Tick the box to indicate that the table has headers.Ĭhange the table name to the division name.ĭo the same for the Games and Utility columns and rename them to TableGame and TableUtility. To do this, highlight each data column (CTRL + SHIFT + DOWN when selecting the header).ĭouble check if the cell referencing is correct. Instead of converting the entire data table as one Excel table, convert it into 3 Excel tables. Paste the formula to the source text box. To view the entire array, click inside the formula bar and press F9.Īdd data validation criteria to cell F5 through Data > Data validation.

However, the formula actually returns an array and is unable to display all the values on a single cell. Since we only need one column, set this as 1. An arbitrary number 20 is used for this example, which should be sufficient. Use a bigger height than what is expected to make sure additional cells are taken account of. The same MATCH() function will be used here: This will again depend on the division selected. cols = how many rows to the right until the first value to be used.rows = how many rows going down until the first value, 1.The OFFSET() function can also be used here. However, since the cell reference changes depending on the division selected by the user, another function should be introduced. The COUNTA() function comes in handy since it counts cells with numbers or text. This should correspond to the number of apps listed for each division and be dynamic to expand and contract. To fix this, a correction is made by deducting 1 from the MATCH() function. What this means is that when the Productivity division is selected, the MATCH() function returns a “1”, which tells the OFFSET() function to move one column to the right instead of staying in column A. However, this can’t be used as is since the return value of the MATCH() function will be 1, 2, or 3 depending on the selected division. lookup_array = where the lookup will be done, $A$4:$C$4.A MATCH() formula comes in handy since it returns a number: In this case, this is dependent on the selected Division by the user. cols = how many columns to the right until the first value to be used.In this case, since we want to start one row below the header, we input 1 rows = how many rows going down until the first value to be used.Whenever a formula is to be used as a data validation criteria, it is usually easier to first set the formula up on the spreadsheet, then transfer it to the data validation window so that all the Excel helper tips show up as guides.

Drop down list in excel