Is it possible to make data validation using sources from another workbooks?

[Leorand]

Hello Masters,
I would like to ask about data validation like title above, let say I want to make data validation formula using combined count if to prevent duplicated data in one sheet and for the source I set it to different workbooks,

The formula is like this :
=COUNTIF('[Workbook2.xlsx]Sheet1'!$A$1:$A$1000,A1)+COUNTIF($A$1:$A$1000,A1)=1

but i got error message while try to apply those formulas.

I had done search on google how to solve this case, but it just not helping at all.

Can you help me with this problems?

Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[SunnyAlv]

try this

=COUNTIF([Workbook2.xlsx]Sheet1!$A$1:$A$100,A1)+COUNTIF(A1:A100,1)

 

[Leorand]

try this

=COUNTIF([Workbook2.xlsx]Sheet1!$A$1:$A$100,A1)+COUNTIF(A1:A100,1)

Nope, it's still same. I just try it.
Thank you for the answer, btw.

 

[dermie_72]

You could put the formula in B1:B1000 that does this count. Then set a data validation up that if the cell changes to a 2 when you add data to the range.
Highlight A1:A1000: Make sure A1 is active
custom validation
Use the formula =B1<2
See if that works

 

[Leorand]

Hello Masters,
I would like to ask about data validation like title above, let say I want to make data validation formula using combined count if to prevent duplicated data in one sheet and for the source I set it to different workbooks,

The formula is like this :
=COUNTIF('[Workbook2.xlsx]Sheet1'!$A$1:$A$1000,A1)+COUNTIF($A$1:$A$1000,A1)=1

but i got error message while try to apply those formulas.

I had done search on google how to solve this case, but it just not helping at all.

Can you help me with this problems?

Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.

The error massage i got is "you may not use references to other workbooks for data validation criteria".

 

[SunnyAlv]

What is the value of "A1"? Is it 1? Or is it another value? And do you want to find value 1 of column A in activeworkbook and in Workbook 2?

 

[Leorand]

What is the value of "A1"? Is it 1? Or is it another value? And do you want to find value 1 of column A in activeworkbook and in Workbook 2?

For the value of "A1" is another value like combined serial number. And yes, i want to find the value on A1:A1000 in workbooks 2 and active workbooks, to check if there is any serial number that has been insert into those column, and prevent the same serial number to insert into active column.

 

[Leorand]

You could put the formula in B1:B1000 that does this count. Then set a data validation up that if the cell changes to a 2 when you add data to the range.
Highlight A1:A1000: Make sure A1 is active
custom validation
Use the formula =B1<2
See if that works

I will try this.
Thank you.