Highlight the cell(s) you need to validate (with the same rule)

Go to Data, Validation.

The Data Validation Screen will pop up:

in the Settings Tab,

Allow: Text Length
Data: Less than
Maximum: 45

In the Input Tab, check Show input messages when cell is selected
Title: Warning
Input Message: There is a 45 character limit for this cell

In the Error Alert Tab, check show error alert after invalid data is
entered
Style: stop
Title: Error
Error Message: You have entered more than 45 character

Feel free to change any part of it.. and this is for excel 2003, your
version might be slightly different


--
Bearacade


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