Sophisticated Drop Down

[irfmevans]

Data:
Project 1 phase 1
Project 1 phase 2
Project 2 phase 1
Project 2 phase 2
Project 2 phase 3
Project 3 phase 1

This is a file that will be constantly updated in tab 1. In Tab 2, I am creating a timesheet for where the ENG enters their name and in col A, chooses their project # from a drop down list. In Col B the ENG selects which phase they are billing to from a drop down list assoc with the project chosen.

Is this possible?

 

[shg]

Use a dynamic named range for the dropdown list: see Make your data validations dynamic! [quick tip] | Chandoo.org - Learn Microsoft Excel Online

 

[irfmevans]

Use a dynamic named range for the dropdown list: see Make your data validations dynamic! [quick tip] | Chandoo.org - Learn Microsoft Excel Online

Thank you but this only tells me how to set up the range so it easily adds when nec. I need the first drop down list (in col A) to determine and limit what is allowed in the second drop down list (in col B).

 

[shg]

Dependent data validation -- see http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal02.html

 

[irfmevans]

Dependent data validation -- see http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal02.html

Thank you but it will not work because my data repeats itself. Specifically, each project includes a phase, a description and an operation. Since there are 4 drop downs which are dependent on the the drop down previous (from the bottom up), meaning from the operation to the description to the phase then to the project, and each one repeats itself, there is no way to do this in excel. In our data dump of 700 rows, a project (in col A) will be repeated for each operation (up to 6) per phase and for each phase attached to the project. Looks like I have to create unique lists 1st and then link to the drop down. I am not sure how to create an automatic updated to unique lists since I have to refresh the data weekly which will grow. But thank you.
Project Phase Description Operation
[TABLE="width: 613"]
<colgroup><col><col><col><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR]
[TD]7522[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]Interface Development[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]BLND[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]R & D[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]BLND[/TD]
[TD]2.2[/TD]
[TD]Breadboard Assembly[/TD]
[TD]10 - KITTING[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]BLND[/TD]
[TD]2.2[/TD]
[TD]Breadboard Assembly[/TD]
[TD]20 - ASSEMBLY[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]BLND[/TD]
[TD]2.3[/TD]
[TD]Bread Board Test[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Eng Study WB DC[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]Engineering trade study[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]DC-6810[/TD]
[TD]30.1[/TD]
[TD]30.10 Controller Design[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]1.1[/TD]
[TD]Requirements[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]1.3.3.1[/TD]
[TD]SYNTHESIZER ASSY & TEST[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]1.4.1[/TD]
[TD]EDM ASSEMBLY & TEST[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]1.4.1[/TD]
[TD]EDM ASSEMBLY & TEST[/TD]
[TD]20 - TEST[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]1.5[/TD]
[TD]Pilot Production[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]1.6[/TD]
[TD]Prototype Build and Env Test[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]1.6[/TD]
[TD]Prototype Build and Env Test[/TD]
[TD]20 - ASSEMBLY[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]1.6[/TD]
[TD]Prototype Build and Env Test[/TD]
[TD]30 - TEST[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]1.6.2[/TD]
[TD]Env Test Fixture[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]1.6.2[/TD]
[TD]Env Test Fixture[/TD]
[TD]20 - SHOP[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]S/N 110[/TD]
[TD]S/N 110[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]S/N 111[/TD]
[TD]S/N 111[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]S/N 112[/TD]
[TD]S/N 112[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]S/N 113[/TD]
[TD]S/N 113[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]S/N 114[/TD]
[TD]S/N 114[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]S/N 115[/TD]
[TD]S/N 115[/TD]
[TD]10 - ENG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]10 - KITTING[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]15 - OUTSOURC[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]20 - ASSEMBLY[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]30 - QUALITY[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]40 - TEST[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]50 - TEST_REW[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]60 - QA FINAL[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]PC6830[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]Step 6[/TD]
[TD]70 - QA FINAL[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

 

[shg]

Perhaps you could put a workbook on dropbox or box.net with a clear example, and a better explanation than has been provided thus far.