Duplicate searchable drop down list

[Jihad Akoury]

Hello guys,

I created a searchable drop down list on excel and i want to duplicate it about 10 times, but when i do it, excel considers the 10 copies at one so when i choose an option in one of them, this same option is selected in the ten drop down list. How can this be fixed? should i create 10 different lists?

And i also want to apply a vlookup formula to a cell so it looks up to the searchable list, but the list isn't a cell, it's a combo box, so how should i refer to this box, if not possible is there something similar.

Thanks a lot

 

[easy2understandexcel]

Are you avoiding keeping the searchable list directly in the cell via data validation feature?

If not, use the data validation feature (its located in the data ribbon) to look for a "list". Its best to define the list as a named range so it can be contained in a different worksheet.

Let me know if you need more detailed instructions than this.

You can also check out this video I made that explains a bit more advanced drop down lists (one list changing the input options of another list) Excel 101 video

 

[Jihad Akoury]

Are you avoiding keeping the searchable list directly in the cell via data validation feature?

If not, use the data validation feature (its located in the data ribbon) to look for a "list". Its best to define the list as a named range so it can be contained in a different worksheet.

Let me know if you need more detailed instructions than this.

You can also check out this video I made that explains a bit more advanced drop down lists (one list changing the input options of another list) Excel 101 video

hello,
first thanks for your quick reply. I'm not avoiding the data validation, but i tried it and the list wasn't searchable. In fact i have 85 different option and it's difficult to search through so i want to make a list where i can type the first few letters and it shows me all options containing those letters. Is that possible with the data validation?

 

[easy2understandexcel]

Its possible if you are willing to use a designated cell as a "search" cell... The search cell would dynamically change what the drop down cells would show.

Basically like this:
1. Setup drop down list (the 85 items) in another sheet
2. in a column next to the dropdown list items you would put a formula that uses something like find() using the "search cell" value... if it is contained in the string it will give a numeric value if it is not it will be #value error.
3*. Make a list of the non-error dropdown list items and set this to a named range
4. use that named range in your dropdown list.

Hope that helps, let me know if you need help with #3.


Please check out my excel youtube channel Excel 101