Forum Discussion
Data validation to data validation to table???
Lonecrow Would be helpful if you upload some screenshots, showing the data and the validation that you already have set up. And which Excel version are you using?
If you don't have Excel for MS365 or 2021, you need to work with named ranges and the INDIRECT function. Otherwise you can use the UNIQUE and FILTER functions.
In case you need to work with named ranges, be aware that if your item is called "Leather Shoes", then the named range will become "Leater_Shoes" (i.e. with an underscore replacing the space).
Attached a file with a very simple example working with named ranges.
Thank you for your response. Attached is a few snips of the data i have collected so far about footwear. Along with that i have my end design vision.
I am currently and still running with 2013 Excel and Office products. 2007 office I had for the longest time because of the absolute simplicity of it all, upgraded a year or two ago to the last free version.
In the first snip is ultimately what i would like to do. I copied and pasted in sheet 1 alot because the idea i have in my head is not working between sheets with data validation. From column H over is only used as reference since i am unable to figure out how to link a sheet to the data validation function.
I want to grab from the first data validation one of three items, which then prompts the one below, based on your decision above to ask for a list from that sheet then once selected of the those that data populates below.
Lonecrow Since you mention using Excel 2013, the modern functions are not available to you. Attached a file that (more or less) replicates your description. Though, I was a bit lazy and did not type all the fancy shoe types 🙂
But I did use named ranges for everything in the Items sheet (each range of shaded cells is referred to by a named range), as described in my previous post. Combined these with INDIRECT, INDEX and MATCH to create the type of summary you asked for.
Two ideas for you. One--put the separate data tables into a single database, just adding a column that represents the higher level category (Cloth Sandals, Leather Shoes, etc). That--having a single database--make it a lot easier for Excel to extract data, since it's working from a single table. Just have an additional criterion, the column that designates the type of shoe involved.
Two: I've attached an example of what I call a Cascading Data Validation, where the second selection varies (the data validation varies) based on what was chosen in the first selection. It sounds to me as if that might be a fit for what you're looking for. HOWEVER, it does depend on the UNIQUE and FILTER functions, which require the most recent version of Excel.
