Microsoft Office

Part IV
Using Advanced Excel Features
FIGURE 25.1
Displaying a message when the user makes an invalid entry.
Specifying Validation Criteria
To specify the type of data allowable in a cell or range, follow these steps:
1. Select the cell or range.
2. Choose Data ➪ Data Tools ➪ Data Validation. Excel displays its Data Validation dialog box.
3. Click the Settings tab (see Figure 25.2).
FIGURE 25.2
The Settings tab of the Data Validation dialog box.
4. Choose an option from the drop-down box labeled Allow. The contents of the Data Validation
dialog box will change, displaying controls based on your choice. To specify a formula, select
Custom.
5. Specify the conditions by using the displayed controls. Your selection in Step 4 determines
what other controls you can access.
6. (Optional) Click the Input Message tab and specify which message to display when a user
selects the cell. You can use this optional step to tell the user what type of data is expected. If
this step is omitted, no message will appear when the user selects the cell.
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