Maybe I should simplify it, take it one formula at a time.
Cell a1 = my category list, validation with dropdown.

My statement = IF(a1="Travel","OK","Not OK")
returns "FALSE" even if cell a1 = Travel.

"Teethless mama" wrote:

=IF(AND(B10,OR(A1={"Travel","Category Must Be Travel"})),"OK"," Not OK")

"Pete" wrote:

In a data entry worksheet, I want to ensure that users select a certain
'category' for all expenses. I am using a validation list (with dropdown)
for the Category. I then created this IF statement to check whether the user
selected the right category for the expense. Unfortunately, my IF statement
always results in FALSE, even when the Category is correct. Is it even
possible to use IF statements with a validation list? My formula works great
if I check a cell that does not use the validation list. Any thoughts?