Try using a defined name as the reference to the remote source.

"jason2444" wrote in message
...
creating a data validation list. but want to use a source list in a
different
work book. I can get the category names to show up but am having trouble
getting the sub category items to apear. It works fine if the list is in
the
same work book I am trying to do the validating. the problem is when using
a
source list in a different workbook.