In searching through the posts in this group for a solution to my problem,
I discovered the forms toolbar and I suspect that part of my solution may
involve that. Can anyone point me to a resource to find more about it.

The real question:
I have to invent a workbook to interface with an
existing workbook and enter data into it so I tried to
understand what the author has done. The sheet in
question has the first 2 columns (ignoring header rows)
populated with invisible combo boxes. They remain
invisible until selected when the down arrow appears
and becomes active. Clicking DnArrow shows data.

As I am going to stuff data in these cells from the
new workbook, I need to make sure its on the list.
In trying to look at combo properties I can't.

Here is what I did:
I made the control toolbox visible, went to design
mode, selected a combo and asked for properties.
I get the properties of the sheet.

What is going on?

1). Are you sure the cells are no DATA VALIDATION instead?

Corey....
"Len B" <gonehome(atoptusnet:com:au)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
In searching through the posts in this group for a solution to my problem,
I discovered the forms toolbar and I suspect that part of my solution may
involve that. Can anyone point me to a resource to find more about it.

The real question:
I have to invent a workbook to interface with an
existing workbook and enter data into it so I tried to
understand what the author has done. The sheet in
question has the first 2 columns (ignoring header rows)
populated with invisible combo boxes. They remain
invisible until selected when the down arrow appears
and becomes active. Clicking DnArrow shows data.

As I am going to stuff data in these cells from the
new workbook, I need to make sure its on the list.
In trying to look at combo properties I can't.

Here is what I did:
I made the control toolbox visible, went to design
mode, selected a combo and asked for properties.
I get the properties of the sheet.

What is going on?

Sounds like the workbook is using Data Validation.
Strangely enough found on the Data menu as "Validation".
It has a "list option" that behaves as you state.

Also, the ComboBox from the Control Toolbox must be
selected in order to display its properties.
--
Jim Cone
San Francisco, USA
http://www.realezsites.com/bus/primitivesoftware



"Len B" <gonehome(atoptusnet:com:au)>
wrote in message
In searching through the posts in this group for a solution to my problem,
I discovered the forms toolbar and I suspect that part of my solution may
involve that. Can anyone point me to a resource to find more about it.

The real question:
I have to invent a workbook to interface with an
existing workbook and enter data into it so I tried to
understand what the author has done. The sheet in
question has the first 2 columns (ignoring header rows)
populated with invisible combo boxes. They remain
invisible until selected when the down arrow appears
and becomes active. Clicking DnArrow shows data.

As I am going to stuff data in these cells from the
new workbook, I need to make sure its on the list.
In trying to look at combo properties I can't.
Here is what I did:
I made the control toolbox visible, went to design
mode, selected a combo and asked for properties.
I get the properties of the sheet.
What is going on?

These are probably Data Validation dropdowns. They don't support referencing
to othere worksheets or workbooks however. But you can have a range of helper
cells on your worksheet that link to the other workbook using formulas that
reference the required cells.

Example set up:
1. Enter a formula that references the other workbook in the first helper
cell. For example: ='[My Time Sheet.xls]Data'!A1 (note the apostrophes)
2. Drag the formula down for the required number of cells. It should
autofill to reference A1, A2, A3... of the other wb and the helper cells
should then display the values from the other wb (see note)
3. Now select the cells that you want to contain the dropdowns
4. Select Data > Validation... > Settings tab
5. Select "List" from the "Allow" dropdown window
6. Ensure that the "In-cell dropdown" checkbox is checked
7. Click inside the "Source" window and then select the helper cell range
8. See the Input Message and Error Alert tabs for optional messages when
you select the cell and if/when an error occurs
9. Click the OK button
10. Each of the cells should display a dropdown when selected that lists
the helper cell range values

Note: This assumes the cells in the other wb are listed vertically and are
contiguous. Else, you will have to list them individually or can similarly
create a helper cell range in the other wb that is contiguous and in a column.

Regards,
Greg

"Len B" wrote:

> In searching through the posts in this group for a solution to my problem,
> I discovered the forms toolbar and I suspect that part of my solution may
> involve that. Can anyone point me to a resource to find more about it.
>
> The real question:
> I have to invent a workbook to interface with an
> existing workbook and enter data into it so I tried to
> understand what the author has done. The sheet in
> question has the first 2 columns (ignoring header rows)
> populated with invisible combo boxes. They remain
> invisible until selected when the down arrow appears
> and becomes active. Clicking DnArrow shows data.
>
> As I am going to stuff data in these cells from the
> new workbook, I need to make sure its on the list.
> In trying to look at combo properties I can't.
>
> Here is what I did:
> I made the control toolbox visible, went to design
> mode, selected a combo and asked for properties.
> I get the properties of the sheet.
>
> What is going on?
>
>
>

Actually, if you give that range on another sheet a nice name, you can use it.

Debra Dalgleish explains it here:
http://contextures.com/xlDataVal01.html#Dropdown

And Debra explains how to use other workbooks:
http://contextures.com/xlDataVal05.html

Greg Wilson wrote:
>
> These are probably Data Validation dropdowns. They don't support referencing
> to othere worksheets or workbooks however. But you can have a range of helper
> cells on your worksheet that link to the other workbook using formulas that
> reference the required cells.
>
> Example set up:
> 1. Enter a formula that references the other workbook in the first helper
> cell. For example: ='[My Time Sheet.xls]Data'!A1 (note the apostrophes)
> 2. Drag the formula down for the required number of cells. It should
> autofill to reference A1, A2, A3... of the other wb and the helper cells
> should then display the values from the other wb (see note)
> 3. Now select the cells that you want to contain the dropdowns
> 4. Select Data > Validation... > Settings tab
> 5. Select "List" from the "Allow" dropdown window
> 6. Ensure that the "In-cell dropdown" checkbox is checked
> 7. Click inside the "Source" window and then select the helper cell range
> 8. See the Input Message and Error Alert tabs for optional messages when
> you select the cell and if/when an error occurs
> 9. Click the OK button
> 10. Each of the cells should display a dropdown when selected that lists
> the helper cell range values
>
> Note: This assumes the cells in the other wb are listed vertically and are
> contiguous. Else, you will have to list them individually or can similarly
> create a helper cell range in the other wb that is contiguous and in a column.
>
> Regards,
> Greg
>
> "Len B" wrote:
>
> > In searching through the posts in this group for a solution to my problem,
> > I discovered the forms toolbar and I suspect that part of my solution may
> > involve that. Can anyone point me to a resource to find more about it.
> >
> > The real question:
> > I have to invent a workbook to interface with an
> > existing workbook and enter data into it so I tried to
> > understand what the author has done. The sheet in
> > question has the first 2 columns (ignoring header rows)
> > populated with invisible combo boxes. They remain
> > invisible until selected when the down arrow appears
> > and becomes active. Clicking DnArrow shows data.
> >
> > As I am going to stuff data in these cells from the
> > new workbook, I need to make sure its on the list.
> > In trying to look at combo properties I can't.
> >
> > Here is what I did:
> > I made the control toolbox visible, went to design
> > mode, selected a combo and asked for properties.
> > I get the properties of the sheet.
> >
> > What is going on?
> >
> >
> >

--

Dave Peterson

And I knew better damn it. I have a project that does this already. Don't
know why I posted that. Oops...

Greg

"Dave Peterson" wrote:

> Actually, if you give that range on another sheet a nice name, you can use it.
>
> Debra Dalgleish explains it here:
> http://contextures.com/xlDataVal01.html#Dropdown
>
> And Debra explains how to use other workbooks:
> http://contextures.com/xlDataVal05.html
>
> Greg Wilson wrote:
> >
> > These are probably Data Validation dropdowns. They don't support referencing
> > to othere worksheets or workbooks however. But you can have a range of helper
> > cells on your worksheet that link to the other workbook using formulas that
> > reference the required cells.
> >
> > Example set up:
> > 1. Enter a formula that references the other workbook in the first helper
> > cell. For example: ='[My Time Sheet.xls]Data'!A1 (note the apostrophes)
> > 2. Drag the formula down for the required number of cells. It should
> > autofill to reference A1, A2, A3... of the other wb and the helper cells
> > should then display the values from the other wb (see note)
> > 3. Now select the cells that you want to contain the dropdowns
> > 4. Select Data > Validation... > Settings tab
> > 5. Select "List" from the "Allow" dropdown window
> > 6. Ensure that the "In-cell dropdown" checkbox is checked
> > 7. Click inside the "Source" window and then select the helper cell range
> > 8. See the Input Message and Error Alert tabs for optional messages when
> > you select the cell and if/when an error occurs
> > 9. Click the OK button
> > 10. Each of the cells should display a dropdown when selected that lists
> > the helper cell range values
> >
> > Note: This assumes the cells in the other wb are listed vertically and are
> > contiguous. Else, you will have to list them individually or can similarly
> > create a helper cell range in the other wb that is contiguous and in a column.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Greg
> >
> > "Len B" wrote:
> >
> > > In searching through the posts in this group for a solution to my problem,
> > > I discovered the forms toolbar and I suspect that part of my solution may
> > > involve that. Can anyone point me to a resource to find more about it.
> > >
> > > The real question:
> > > I have to invent a workbook to interface with an
> > > existing workbook and enter data into it so I tried to
> > > understand what the author has done. The sheet in
> > > question has the first 2 columns (ignoring header rows)
> > > populated with invisible combo boxes. They remain
> > > invisible until selected when the down arrow appears
> > > and becomes active. Clicking DnArrow shows data.
> > >
> > > As I am going to stuff data in these cells from the
> > > new workbook, I need to make sure its on the list.
> > > In trying to look at combo properties I can't.
> > >
> > > Here is what I did:
> > > I made the control toolbox visible, went to design
> > > mode, selected a combo and asked for properties.
> > > I get the properties of the sheet.
> > >
> > > What is going on?
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
> --
>
> Dave Peterson
>

Or INDIRECT it

--
HTH

Bob Phillips

(there's no email, no snail mail, but somewhere should be gmail in my addy)

"Dave Peterson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Actually, if you give that range on another sheet a nice name, you can use
it.
>
> Debra Dalgleish explains it here:
> http://contextures.com/xlDataVal01.html#Dropdown
>
> And Debra explains how to use other workbooks:
> http://contextures.com/xlDataVal05.html
>
> Greg Wilson wrote:
> >
> > These are probably Data Validation dropdowns. They don't support
referencing
> > to othere worksheets or workbooks however. But you can have a range of
helper
> > cells on your worksheet that link to the other workbook using formulas
that
> > reference the required cells.
> >
> > Example set up:
> > 1. Enter a formula that references the other workbook in the first
helper
> > cell. For example: ='[My Time Sheet.xls]Data'!A1 (note the
apostrophes)
> > 2. Drag the formula down for the required number of cells. It should
> > autofill to reference A1, A2, A3... of the other wb and the helper cells
> > should then display the values from the other wb (see note)
> > 3. Now select the cells that you want to contain the dropdowns
> > 4. Select Data > Validation... > Settings tab
> > 5. Select "List" from the "Allow" dropdown window
> > 6. Ensure that the "In-cell dropdown" checkbox is checked
> > 7. Click inside the "Source" window and then select the helper cell
range
> > 8. See the Input Message and Error Alert tabs for optional messages
when
> > you select the cell and if/when an error occurs
> > 9. Click the OK button
> > 10. Each of the cells should display a dropdown when selected that
lists
> > the helper cell range values
> >
> > Note: This assumes the cells in the other wb are listed vertically and
are
> > contiguous. Else, you will have to list them individually or can
similarly
> > create a helper cell range in the other wb that is contiguous and in a
column.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Greg
> >
> > "Len B" wrote:
> >
> > > In searching through the posts in this group for a solution to my
problem,
> > > I discovered the forms toolbar and I suspect that part of my solution
may
> > > involve that. Can anyone point me to a resource to find more about it.
> > >
> > > The real question:
> > > I have to invent a workbook to interface with an
> > > existing workbook and enter data into it so I tried to
> > > understand what the author has done. The sheet in
> > > question has the first 2 columns (ignoring header rows)
> > > populated with invisible combo boxes. They remain
> > > invisible until selected when the down arrow appears
> > > and becomes active. Clicking DnArrow shows data.
> > >
> > > As I am going to stuff data in these cells from the
> > > new workbook, I need to make sure its on the list.
> > > In trying to look at combo properties I can't.
> > >
> > > Here is what I did:
> > > I made the control toolbox visible, went to design
> > > mode, selected a combo and asked for properties.
> > > I get the properties of the sheet.
> > >
> > > What is going on?
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
> --
>
> Dave Peterson

Thanks Guys,
Indeed it was Data Validation. That's why, when I selected the cell I
thought was a combo, I couldn't get it to show any handles; and that's why
the properties I saw were the Sheet's properties.

The name of the other guy's wb misled me to an extent too. It is
Template97.xls. I was assuming XL ver 97. Oops.

His wb is copied and renamed every month (ProjSumFeb.xls) so I can't use
Debra's methods and refer to the range in it. I will copy the ranges to a
hidden sheet in my wb and use that for my Data Validation.

My wb will accumulate project data, summarize it and then paste results row
by row (as each project is completed) into the monthly project summary.
Debra's page says you can paste data into such cells so I should be ok.

Thanks again
-- Len

"Greg Wilson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:0C1B7D58-F4B4-4F3D-9BA6-(E-Mail Removed)...
> And I knew better damn it. I have a project that does this already. Don't
> know why I posted that. Oops...
>
> Greg
>
> "Dave Peterson" wrote:
>
>> Actually, if you give that range on another sheet a nice name, you can
>> use it.
>>
>> Debra Dalgleish explains it here:
>> http://contextures.com/xlDataVal01.html#Dropdown
>>
>> And Debra explains how to use other workbooks:
>> http://contextures.com/xlDataVal05.html
>>
>> Greg Wilson wrote:
>> >
>> > These are probably Data Validation dropdowns. They don't support
>> > referencing
>> > to othere worksheets or workbooks however. But you can have a range of
>> > helper
>> > cells on your worksheet that link to the other workbook using formulas
>> > that
>> > reference the required cells.
>> >
>> > Example set up:
>> > 1. Enter a formula that references the other workbook in the first
>> > helper
>> > cell. For example: ='[My Time Sheet.xls]Data'!A1 (note the
>> > apostrophes)
>> > 2. Drag the formula down for the required number of cells. It should
>> > autofill to reference A1, A2, A3... of the other wb and the helper
>> > cells
>> > should then display the values from the other wb (see note)
>> > 3. Now select the cells that you want to contain the dropdowns
>> > 4. Select Data > Validation... > Settings tab
>> > 5. Select "List" from the "Allow" dropdown window
>> > 6. Ensure that the "In-cell dropdown" checkbox is checked
>> > 7. Click inside the "Source" window and then select the helper cell
>> > range
>> > 8. See the Input Message and Error Alert tabs for optional messages
>> > when
>> > you select the cell and if/when an error occurs
>> > 9. Click the OK button
>> > 10. Each of the cells should display a dropdown when selected that
>> > lists
>> > the helper cell range values
>> >
>> > Note: This assumes the cells in the other wb are listed vertically and
>> > are
>> > contiguous. Else, you will have to list them individually or can
>> > similarly
>> > create a helper cell range in the other wb that is contiguous and in a
>> > column.
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > Greg
>> >
>> > "Len B" wrote:
>> >
>> > > In searching through the posts in this group for a solution to my
>> > > problem,
>> > > I discovered the forms toolbar and I suspect that part of my solution
>> > > may
>> > > involve that. Can anyone point me to a resource to find more about
>> > > it.
>> > >
>> > > The real question:
>> > > I have to invent a workbook to interface with an
>> > > existing workbook and enter data into it so I tried to
>> > > understand what the author has done. The sheet in
>> > > question has the first 2 columns (ignoring header rows)
>> > > populated with invisible combo boxes. They remain
>> > > invisible until selected when the down arrow appears
>> > > and becomes active. Clicking DnArrow shows data.
>> > >
>> > > As I am going to stuff data in these cells from the
>> > > new workbook, I need to make sure its on the list.
>> > > In trying to look at combo properties I can't.
>> > >
>> > > Here is what I did:
>> > > I made the control toolbox visible, went to design
>> > > mode, selected a combo and asked for properties.
>> > > I get the properties of the sheet.
>> > >
>> > > What is going on?
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>>
>> --
>>
>> Dave Peterson
>>