Seeding in Drop Down List

[FloridaCajun]

I have a VLOOKUP formula set up in cell D9 which uses a drop down list in D8
(data validation with List in another worksheet) to retrieve a cost of a
radiology or laboratory charge.

All of this works, but I'd like to refine the lookup to a seeded value.

The data list has several hundred entries to choose from. Currently when the
drop down is activated the list starts with "Ankle" and the user has to
scroll down to "Chest" or "Wrist." Is there a way to seed the lookup in D8
to begin the drop down at a certain alpha character? For instance, if the
user is looking for the cost of a Wrist 2 View procedure, I'd like to enter
"W" in D8 and have the drop down begin with W's instead of A's.

Thanks in advance,
Robert

 

[Ragdyer]

Check out this web page of Debra Dalgleish:

http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal10.html

Scroll down to find instructions for "Auto Complete".

 

[L. Howard Kittle]

Hi Robert,

Try this if you don't want to use a Combo Box.

Sort your long list A to Z. Then at the top of each alphabet change enter a
single letter to depict that list... A for the A's, W for the W's and so on
down to Z. Make sure the new headed list is all included in the list range
of your data validation since now the list will be 26 cells longer than the
old list.

Now hit the down arrow in your data validation list...then do not hit
Enter...leave the DV cell in edit mode and type in the list letter you want
to access, say "W" and now hit Enter, you should be at the top of the W
list.

HTH
Regards,
Howard

 

[FloridaCajun]

Howard,

Thanks very much. Works great.

Robert

Hi Robert,

Try this if you don't want to use a Combo Box.

Sort your long list A to Z. Then at the top of each alphabet change enter
a single letter to depict that list... A for the A's, W for the W's and so
on down to Z. Make sure the new headed list is all included in the list
range of your data validation since now the list will be 26 cells longer
than the old list.

Now hit the down arrow in your data validation list...then do not hit
Enter...leave the DV cell in edit mode and type in the list letter you
want to access, say "W" and now hit Enter, you should be at the top of the
W list.

HTH
Regards,
Howard