Think this previous post by Debra Dalgleish would be of help:

"Although data validation doesn't support autocomplete, there's a sample
file here that provides a combobox from which you can select one of the
values from the data validation list. In the combobox, you can enable
autocomplete:
http://www.contextures.com/excelfiles.html
Under 'Data Validation', look for 'Data Validation Combobox' "

--
Rgds
Max
xl 97
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GMT+8, 1° 22' N 103° 45' E
xdemechanik <atyahoo<dotcom
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"Ron" wrote in message
...
Is is possible when you have a drop down menu, to have excel short list
the
menu as you type in more charcaters of the text. For example a have a
list
of several hundred customers. I start inputting the first few letters of
the
customers name, I would like that list of several hundred to be shortened
to
only include thaise customers that begin with the letters I have typed in.

Thanks