Home page » Computer help » Excel help » Data validation

Data validation

You can configure data validation to prevent users from enteringdata that is not valid. If you prefer, you can allow users to enterinvalid data but warn them when they try to type it in the cell. Youcan also provide messages to define what input you expect for the cell,and instructions to help users correct any errors.

For example,in a marketing workbook, you can set up a cell to allow only accountnumbers that are exactly three characters long. When users select thecell, you can show them a message such as this one:

If users ignore this message and type invalid data in the cell, suchas a two-digit or five-digit number, you can show them an actual errormessage.

In a slightly more advanced scenario, you might use datavalidation to calculate the maximum allowed value in a cell based on avalue elsewhere in the workbook. In the following example, the user hastyped $4,000 in cell E7, which exceeds the maximum limit specified forcommissions and bonuses.

If the payroll budget were to increase or decrease, the allowed maximum in E7 would automatically increase or decrease with it.

Data validation options are located in the Data Tools group.

Comments

No comments yet. Be first!

Friends