‘Data Validation” Conditions

We use the “Data Validation” command, if we want to ensure that the users of the worksheet enter the correct information in a cell.

In order to apply “Data validation”, we first select the cell or range in which we intend to use data validation.
Choose the “Data” tab in the “Ribbon”.
And click the “Data Validation” button.

In the “Data Validation” dialog, select the “Settings” tab.
By default, the Validation Criterion is on “Any value”.
Click the downward pointing arrow next to the “Any value” box.
This opens a list of different validation options.
These options use comparison operators to check data entered.

In this example I selected range of values between 0 and 10 only.

So I choose ‘whole number’ from the list.

In the “Data:” I choose the “between” option.
In the “Minimum” I give the value 0.
In the “Maximum” I give the value 10.
This seems quite logical.

 

Top right we find a checkbox: “Ignore blank”.
When this is checked, it ignores all blank cells.

 

Click OK when all settings are complete.

As long as you enter a value in a cell in the range of between 0 and 10, there is no problem.

If you enter 12 in this cell, Excel will give us a warning.

Click on the “Clear all” button and it will give us a new attempt.
Clicking the “Cancel” button will close the dialog but the cell will remain selected.
Clicking the “Help” button, opens “Microsoft office Excel Help”.

Instead of clicking 100 times on the “Clear all” button, it is more convenient if we are told what our choices are.
We see this in the next lesson.

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