quick selection in Excel

[Guest]

I have a large list in excel and i am using a dropdown to select from that
list, I would like to be able to quickly move between the data i.e. use a-z
to bring up data begining with that letter. Any help would be apprecated.

Jamie

 

[Dave Peterson]

How did you create that dropdown?

If you used a combobox from the controls toolbox toolbar, you can do this.

But if you're using Data|Validation or Data|Filter|autofilter or a dropdown from
the Forms toolbar, then it isn't supported.

Debra Dalgleish does share some workarounds for data|Filter|Autofilter:
http://contextures.com/xlautofilter02.html#Limits

 

[Guest]

Jamie

This works with a data validation drop down.
In xl2k you can sort your list "ascending" and at each change in the first
letter of your list, insert a cell and place the appropriate letter. In your
dropdown just enter the first letter and the click the dropdown arrow and you
are at the beginning of that part of your list.

Does that help?

Mike Rogers

 

[Guest]

Hi Jamie,

I can recommend that you copy all the columns to a single excel sheet. This
is basically to run an advance query which will fetch you all the information
for you to compare.

I shall explain you how to do it.

Assuming that you have copied all the columns to a single spread sheet, you
know the column heading now, save the excel sheet.

Now I wiil be using the Advance filtering techniques so that all the column
information are retrieved even if the typed cells are misspelled, which
normally is not the case when you do a simple filtering technique. The
filtered values may not be correct.

To retieve the values;

1. Select all records and the column headings and define a name for the
range List. This is the List range name.
2. Select all column headings and paste in a seperate row anywhere in the
spreadsheet.
2. Select the pasted column heading along with an empty row and define a
name. This is the criteria range name.
3. Define a criteria on the second row for all columns, if necessary. For
example S* will display all details specific to "S'.
4. Click Data-> Filter-> Advanced Filter
5. Type the List name
6. Type the Criteria Name
7. Click copy to another location option - Mandatory
8. Click Copy to
9. Click the cell below the criteria range

All data will be displayed specific to the query you requested. This is very
usefull if the spreadsheet data are mistyped or mis-spelled. Now you have
done a database funtion on your excle spread sheet.

Challa Prabhu