Hi Karl

I now understand.
You cannot use DV error box, unless it is applied to that cell.

You could incorporate some VBA code to check it, and bring up an error
message, but you need an event to trigger it.
The following code would be triggered if you double click anywhere on the
sheet.

Private Sub Worksheet_BeforeDoubleClick(ByVal Target As Range, Cancel As
Boolean)
If Range("D4").Value 50 Then
MsgBox "Error in cell D4. Value too high"
End If
End Sub

Copy the code above
Right click on Sheet tabView CodePaste into the white pane.
Alt+F11 to return to Excel

--
Regards
Roger Govier

"karl" wrote in message
...
the reason I don't want to validate D4 is that it is a sum of two numbers
and
I won't be able to select that cell directly. I hope I answered your
question.

"Roger Govier" wrote:

Hi Karl

I don't understand why you are not prepared to have data Validation on
cell
D4.

Apply DV and set it to allow Whole Number between Minimum 0 and Maximum
50
Set the message on the error alert tab to something like
"The value in this cell must be less than 50"

There will be no dropdown on the cell, but if anyone tries to enter a
value
greater than 50, they will be prevented and your message will pop up.
--
Regards
Roger Govier

"karl" wrote in message
...
hello,

i need to set up an "indirect" error alert using DATA VALIDATION.
please
refer to the following link
http://www.freefilehosting.net/download/3h8gj
details are provided in the uploaded file.

thank you,
karl