How do I find a validation list in Excel?

What Is Data Validation in Excel?

Data validation in Excel is a technique that restricts user input in a worksheet. It is often used to limit user entry.

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Settings Tab

The settings tab is where you enter the validation criteria. There are eight options available to validate for user input:

• Any Value - It removes any existing data validation.
• Whole Number - It allows only whole numbers. For example, you can specify that the user must enter the number between 0 to 30.
• Decimal -  The user must enter a number with decimal values.
• List - The user will have to create a drop-down list to choose from.
• Date - The user will have to enter the date format.
• Time - The user should enter a time.
• Text Length - It validates input based on the length of the data.
• Custom - It validates the user input using a custom formula.

Input Message Tab

You can set the input message to explain what data is allowed in a given cell. This tab is optional.

• Check the 'show input message when the cell is selected'.
• Enter a title.
• Enter an Input message.

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Error Alert Tab

You can show the error message if the user tries to enter the invalid data. 

On the error message tab:

• Check the ‘Show error alert after invalid data is entered’ box.
• Enter a title.
• Enter an error message.

Now, when you try to enter the value beyond the range, you will get an error message.

Now that we are familiar with the basic concepts, let’s look at a step-by-step process to implement data validation in excel.

How to Validate Data in Excel?

Step 1 - Select The Cell For Validation

Select the cell you want to validate. Go to the Data tab > Data tools, and click on the Data Validation button.

A data validation dialogue box will appear having 3 tabs - Settings, Input Message, and Error Alerts.

Step 2 - Specify Validation Criteria

On the settings tab, specify your validation criteria. 

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Step 3 - Under Allow, Select The Criteria

Under Allow, select an option from Whole Number, Decimal, List, Date, Time, Text Length, and Custom. 

Step 4 - Select Condition

Under Data, select a condition and set required values based on what you choose for Allow and Data.

Step 5 - Input Message

You can enter the input message if you want. This step is optional.

Step 6 - Custom Error Message

You can also set your custom error message. This step is optional.

Step 7 - Click Ok

Click OK. Now, if you try entering a value outside the specified range (10, 50), it will result in an error.

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Excel Data Validation List (Drop-Down)

To add the drop-down list, follow the following steps:

1. Open the data validation dialog box.
2. On the Settings tab, select the list.
3. In the source box, enter the list of your validation, separated by commas.

You will get the following result.

Date Validation

You can set-up the date validation in Excel. Select date in the allow box and pick up the appropriate criteria. 

Follow these steps to set-up date validation:

1. Select the cells where you’d be applying the data validation.
2. From the allowed dropdown, select the date.
3. From the Data drop-down, select between.
4. Click in the Start Date box and select cell O10, where the Start Date is entered.
5. Press the F4 key to change the cell reference to an absolute reference -- $O$10.
6. Click in the End Date box and select cell O11, where the End Date is entered.
7. Press the F4 key to change the cell reference to an absolute reference -- $O$11.
8. Click OK to close the Data Validation window.

The above date validation will only accept date values between 9th Nov 2020 to 18th Nov 2020. 

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Conclusion

The data validation in Excel provides a way of limiting the mistakes from the user and collecting valid data from the user. It results in standard data entry and systematic reporting. 

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