Hi

Not possible with data validation lists. A walkaround:
Create a sheet p.e. List, with a table Char1, Name
A2=IF($B2="","",LEFT($B2))
Copy formula in A2 down, and fill column B with names. Sort the table
alpabetically! (NB! always you edit the names list, you have to sort the
table!)

Define named range p.e.
Char1=OFFSET(List!$A$1,1,,COUNTIF(List!$A:$A,""&" """)-1,1)

On your data entry table (I assume the row 1 contains column headers), you
must have 2 columns like Group and Name
Select some range in column Group, and apply data validation list with
source=Char1 to it.
Select any cell in row 2 on data entry sheet, and define a named range
Name=OFFSET(List!$B$1,MATCH(Sheet1!$A2,List!$A:$A, 0)-1,,COUNTIF(List!$A:$A,Sheet1!$A2),1)
Select the range in column Name (as much rows as you selected in Group
column before), and apply data validation list with source
=Name

Select a character into Group column - now you can select only names
beginning with this caracter into Name column in same row (and nothing, when
no group is selected before)


--
Arvi Laanemets
( My real mail address: arvi.laanemets<attarkon.ee )



"Andrew C" wrote in message
...
Hi

I have another problem. With the validation list i have just created it
is
really long with names. I was wanting to make it that if you typed in the
first few letters of the Clients name it short listed the dropdown to what
was matching the entered data.

The end selection will be from the dropdown this is to make it easier to
find the clients name.

Is this possible??

Thanks