Forum Discussion
Data Validation to lock a cell based on value in another cell.
Hello Excel Community,
I have a relatively simple spreadsheet with several validation rules and conditional formatting applied.
My data is in a table with headers in Row 1. Table Column E has validation applied as a drop down list with "Y" or "N" as choices. I'm trying to block input in table column F unless the corresponding cell in column E2 equals "Y". I've done so much searching and as far as I can tell the following formula should work:
=AND(E2="Y",E2<>"")
This works as expected if "N" is selected in Column E, but if E is left blank, column F is still open for any value.
What am I doing wrong??
Microsoft® Excel® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2303 Build 16.0.16227.20202) 32-bit
Many thanks!!
18 Replies
Jrhodes303 I have the same issue; adding a comment to follow the responses. I have a cell that I want to be locked from editing IF another cell has a value that starts with a certain prefix.
Use a formula such as =LEFT(E2, 2)<>"AB" and clear the check box "Ignore blank" in the Data Validation dialog (see previous reply)
Thank you! I am trying to follow your formula. If Column 1 value starts with "B", then Column 3 should allow a change. Can you see something I am doing wrong?
C2 stops me from changing the value because A2 value does not start with "B" (Pass)
C3 allows a change because A3 value starts with "B" (Pass)
C4 allows a change but A4 does not start with "B" (Fail)
- You only need E2="Y"
That will either be True or False.Hi Roger Govier,
Thanks for your reply. I'm assuming you mean =E2="Y".
With that formula in the custom validation, it still allows entry if E2 is left blank. That's why I added the addtional statement E2<>"", but that had no effect. For context, E2 also has a validation list of Y or N. If neither is selected, any value is still allowed in the cell with validation rule =E2="Y". I don't think the validation list in E2 has any effect because without validation list in E2, the same thing happens: Validation in F doesn't work if E is left blank.
