Hi Nick

In order to use Autocomplete, you need to use a Combo Box.
With regard to listing the entries from the first character, this can be
done with Data Validation with the aid of a macro.
I have a sample workbook on Debra Dalgleish's site
http://www.contextures.com/DataValHeadings.zip

--
Regards
Roger Govier

"Nick" wrote in message
...
We are using Excel 2003
We created a drop down list using the Data\Validation process, which works
fine.

When the arrow within a cell is clicked on to show the drop down list, how
can you quickly select one of the many names in the list just by typing
the
first character of a name within the list.
At the moment, we have to scroll up and down the list to select a
particular
name, which in itself isn't a problem, but slows down the process of
finding
the right name.

Can the names within the list be alphabetically grouped when inputting the
first character from the keyboard, and speed up the selection.

I hope this makes sense!
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Nick