This works in the selection event, not quite as you ask but see if it meets
your needs.

It goes in the Worksheet module, right-click tab, view code

Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
Dim rng As Range
Dim col As Long

col = Target(1).Column
If col = 1 Or col = 5 Then
On Error Resume Next
nt = ActiveCell.Validation.Type
On Error GoTo 0
If nt = 3 Then
If col = 1 Then
Set rng = Range("B1,D1:E1")
Else
Set rng = Range("A1:B1,D1")
End If
rng.Offset(Target.Row - 1).ClearContents
End If
End If

End Sub

Regards,
Peter T

"Suzanne" wrote in message
...
I can't quite figure out the right code for this:

On selection (GotFocus) of a validation drop-down in Column A, clear cells
in Columns B, D, & E; OR on selection (GotFocus) of the validation
drop-down
in Column E, clear cells in Columns A, B, & D

Only the cells on the row with focus should be cleared

Thanks -- Suzanne