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KBozeman's avatar
KBozeman
Copper Contributor
Jan 08, 2025

Removing auto complete/fill

I use a an excel spreadsheet that is hosted on my One Drive. I am needing to remove the option to auto complete/fill a certain column. Example: In column E, items used are listed, 1 roll, 2 cups, 3 bags, etc. I need to turn off the auto complete/fill/predict so that it doesn't assume that it's the same info I have used before. I really hope this makes sense. 

 

1 Reply

  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor

    You want to disable Excel’s AutoComplete for a specific column so that it doesn't suggest previously entered values.

    Since Excel doesn’t provide a built-in way to turn off AutoComplete for just one column, you can use Data Validation to control what is entered.

    Steps:

    1. Select Column E (click the "E" header).
    2. Go to Data → Data Validation.
    3. Under Allow, select Text Length or Custom.
    4. Set it to any reasonable limit (e.g., max 20 characters).
    5. Click OK.

    Note: This won’t disable AutoComplete, but it helps manage unwanted entries and prevents unnecessary predictions.

    Disable AutoComplete for the Entire Workbook

    If you want to disable AutoComplete completely in your Excel workbook, follow these steps:

    1. Go to File → Options.
    2. Select Advanced from the left panel.
    3. Scroll down to the "Editing Options" section.
    4. Uncheck the box "Enable AutoComplete for cell values".
    5. Click OK.

    Note: This will disable AutoComplete for all columns in the workbook, not just Column E.

    Use VBA to Prevent AutoFill in Column E

    Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
        If Not Intersect(Target, Me.Columns("E")) Is Nothing Then
            Application.Undo ' Prevents Excel from auto-filling
        End If
    End Sub

    Close the VBA editor and Save your file as a Macro-Enabled Workbook (.xlsm).

    This script prevents Excel from auto-filling Column E, but still allows normal typing.

     

    *If you need to control data entry in Column E, Data Validation is a simple fix.

    *If you want to disable AutoComplete for all columns, use AutoComplete for Workbook.

    *If you want to completely prevent AutoComplete in Column E only, use VBA Script, if your version of Excel allows this.

     

    Hope this helps

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