Variable Data Validation

Assuming that A1 contains the division value,
B1 the dept value yet to be entered.

Construct a list of all depts, say from C1 on. Enter Dept99 twice if you wish: Dept1, Dept2, Dept3, Dept99, Dept6, Dept7, Dept9, Dept99.

Select B1, go to Data Validation, Select "List", then enter as Source the following formula:

=IF(A1=1,$C$1:$C$4,$C$5:$C$8)

You may name A1 Division via the Name Box and use this name in the above formula instead of A1.

Hope this is what you asked for.

Aladin

Assuming that A1 contains the division value,
B1 the dept value yet to be entered.

Construct a list of all depts, say from C1 on. Enter Dept99 twice if you wish: Dept1, Dept2, Dept3, Dept99, Dept6, Dept7, Dept9, Dept99.

Select B1, go to Data Validation, Select "List", then enter as Source the following formula:

=IF(A1=1,$C$1:$C$4,$C$5:$C$8)

You may name A1 Division via the Name Box and use this name in the above formula instead of A1.

Hope this is what you asked for.

Aladin

Aladin

That works nicely - but there is one small problem. We have 12 separate divisions and Excel has a limit of 7 nested IFs.

Any suggestions as to how to get around that limitation?

Zif : Hi : I have a column (Division) which is populated by users selecting a Data Validation entry (or by typing in a valid entry). : In the next column (Department), I would like the data Validation to show only those entries which are valid for the Division entered in the previous column. : For Example:

Hi Zif,

It's indeed a "small problem": we don't need any IFs.

I'll assume as in the previous post that A1 contains the division value.
In B1 we want the data validated department value.
From C1 on we'll list all departments, starting with dept values associated with Division 1, dept values of Division 2, and so on. We allow repetition, that is, if a certain dept is associated with two or more divisions, we'll enter them again in the appropriate place.
From D1 on we create a series of 1 to 12.
Now we have 1 in D1. We put the following in E1:
$C$1:$C$5 (that is the range where depts of Division reside)
We do the same in E2, that is, we enter the range of dept values associated with Division 2. We iterate this step until we have all 12 ranges in E.

We go to B1, select "List" on Data Validation, and enter as Source:

=INDIRECT(VLOOKUP(A1,$D$1:$E$12,2,0))

This completes the solution (except the messages, I would say).

Aladin

Perfect!

Thanks for your help.

Zif

: Aladin : That works nicely - but there is one small problem. We have 12 separate divisions and Excel has a limit of 7 nested IFs. : Any suggestions as to how to get around that limitation? : Zif Hi Zif, It's indeed a "small problem": we don't need any IFs. I'll assume as in the previous post that A1 contains the division value. In B1 we want the data validated department value. From C1 on we'll list all departments, starting with dept values associated with Division 1, dept values of Division 2, and so on. We allow repetition, that is, if a certain dept is associated with two or more divisions, we'll enter them again in the appropriate place. From D1 on we create a series of 1 to 12. Now we have 1 in D1. We put the following in E1: $C$1:$C$5 (that is the range where depts of Division reside) We do the same in E2, that is, we enter the range of dept values associated with Division 2. We iterate this step until we have all 12 ranges in E. We go to B1, select "List" on Data Validation, and enter as Source: =INDIRECT(VLOOKUP(A1,$D$1:$E$12,2,0)) This completes the solution (except the messages, I would say). Aladin