Thanks Bernie!

That helps prevent me from entering an invalid position and that is helpful.
But I what I really want to prevent is entering the same position more than
once.

"Bernie Deitrick" wrote:

Dave,

Aaargh - sorry about that empty message.

Use a combination of Data Validation and another cell with a formula.

Let's say that you have your list of positions in a range named "Positions", and your first cell for
entering the positions is cell E2, with the list extending down column E, to say, cell E25.
Initially, all cells are blank.. Select the cells E2:E25, select Data / Validation... select
custom, and use the formula

=AND(NOT(ISERROR(MATCH(E2,Positions,FALSE))),COUNT IF($E2:$E$25,E2)=1)

Also make sure that you check "Ignore Blanks" on the dialog.

Then in another cell, use the formula

=COUNTA(E2:E25) & " positions assigned"

and you are all done.

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"Dave" wrote in message
...
Suppose I'm assigning basebal positions with the set of strings, P, C, 1, 2,
3, SS, LF, CF, RF. After I've entered the 9 assignments, I want an
indication that I have covered all 9 positions. I can have 9 nested if/match
functions, but it seems like there should be a better way.