How do you format data that is part of a drop down menu?

[Guest]

If you use a drop down menu list with data validation, the menu is so small
you can't read it. How do you apply normal formatting to improve the
situation (font size, bold, etc.)

 

[Gord Dibben]

You cannot change the font size in a DV dropdown.

There are workarounds.

See Debra Dalgleish's site for these.

http://www.contextures.on.ca/xlDataVal08.html#Larger


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Sassy]

I'm using 2007/excel and have a form that was used in excel 2003. I cannot
find where to edit the data in the drop down menu...Please Help!!!

"

 

[Gord Dibben]

What type of dropdown is it?

If DV dropdown list just select the cell then Data>Validation

Look in the "Source" dialog for a range or range name.

If a Comboxbox from the Control Toolbox, open Control Toolbox and go into Design
Mode then right-click>Properties>ListFillRange


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Sassy]

It's a drop down that has several names in it and I still cannot seem to edit
the names to make this doc work. I also, cannot find the combo or control box
within excel 2007...Please help!

 

[Gord Dibben]

I am not familiar with the commands in 2077 so will have to leave this for
someone else.

Or see Ron de Bruin's site for where to find the commands in 2007 menus.

http://www.rondebruin.nl/0307commands.htm


Gord

 

[Sassy]

I cannot believe it's this difficult to simply remove names from a drop down
list...I'm dying over here...lol

 

[Gord Dibben]

Probably not that difficult if you know what type of dropdown it is which you
have so far neglected to specify.

When you select a cell does an Arrow appear at right side of the cell with the
list dropdown from there?

That would most likely be Data Validation list.


Gord

 

[Sassy]

Oh...Yes I'm sorry about that yes....The arrow is to the right, you click and
see the other names that can be clicked and selected...

 

[Gord Dibben]

Definitely a DV dropdown.

The list for that could be a range of cells on the sheet.

A range of cells on same or another sheet and given a defined name.

The list could be typed into the Source dialog as comma-delimited.

The DV dialog would be under Data>Data Validation>Data>Data Tools or somesuch
command.

You will have to find that dialog for yourself on the worksheet menubar.


Gord

 

[Seeker]

Definitely a DV dropdown.

The list for that could be a range of cells on the sheet.

A range of cells on same or another sheet and given a defined name.

The list could be typed into the Source dialog as comma-delimited.

The DV dialog would be under Data>Data Validation>Data>Data Tools or somesuch
command.

You will have to find that dialog for yourself on the worksheet menubar.


Gord

 

[Seeker]

I simply want to add another name to the DV list that I already have created.
How?

 

[Gord Dibben]

Just below "Definitely a DV dropdown." you will see three sources for DV
lists.

Just add a name to whichever list you're drawing from.


Gord

 

[Nur]

Hi,

I know how to create a drop down list, but how do I add a "blank" so
whoever is is filling it out can write it in (i.e. your list contains "apple"
& "banana" only and then you someone wants to enter in orange, but it's not
available on the drop down list, is there an option where they can just write
it in rather then having to chose from apple and banana?)?

 

[Gord Dibben]

Turn off the Error Alert option.

This will allow entering something other than what's on the list but it
won't "add" it to the list for future use.

To do that requires code.

See Debra Dalgleish's site for a sample workbook.

http://www.contextures.on.ca/excelfiles.html#DataVal


Gord

DV0012 - Update Validation List -- type a new value in a cell that contains
data validation, and it's automatically added to the source list, and the
list is sorted; a macro automates the list updates. DataValListAddSort.zip
11 kb

 

[jr]

Do you know how to format a drop down box where the arrow to the right of the
box does not disappear?

 

[Gord Dibben]

Yes.

Use a CombobBox from the Control ToolBox Toolbar.


Gord

 

[PapiChulo]

Man these guys like jerking you around. All you have to do is "unhide" the
cell range that the combo-box is drawing its data from. Just look for breaks
in the rows of your spreadsheet the hight the break range and unhide the
data. Its simple and much to do about nothing.

Hope this helps.

L8ters

 

[PapiChulo]

Read my reply to NUR for the answer.

Oh...Yes I'm sorry about that yes....The arrow is to the right, you click and
see the other names that can be clicked and selected...

 

[Kirk]

Can you change the text color in a DV Dropdown list? I would like to select
text from the Data Validation dropdown and have the resulting value selected
in the cell colored. Can this be done using Conditional Formatting somehow?
Perhaps a Macro to detect the cell contents change and change the color of
the text depending on the value? Help!