so here's the situation:
1. i have to check deflection of a horizontal beam as a result of glass
weight on it.
if deflection is less than the acceptable limit, then everything is peachy.
if not, then i have problems.
- one option, and the most popular over here, is to reinforce it by
inserting a steel member (tube or bar or channel etc).
the problem with doing this is that the deflection caused by the steel's
weight is often larger than the strength it can provide with its 'Iy'
property. (the higher the Iy, the smaller the amount of deflection.)
so. now i have a table of steel, and its properties. - Ix, Iy, weight, etc.
on another sheet.
2. if there is a problem with the deflection, i i would like to do an
automatic check through the list of steel to see which members have high
enough Iy value to counter: the original deflection + the deflection caused
by the steel's weight.

so. can I:
1. use a loop in a macro to go through my list of steel
2. (using a formula already set up) return a 'yes' or 'no' depending on
whether or not the above criteria are met.
3. click on a 'recommended steel type' cell block, and have a list of steel
members which work drop down (from the returned 'yes' or 'no' loop)
ie: A B
1 # description
2 101 2"x4" bar
return: 101 - " 2"x4" bar " in another cell
4. have the selected steel member display its information on the sheet so i
can see its properties and then calculate results which solve the deflection.

i know. it's alot to ask. any help would be spectacularly appreciated.
maybe a cake will be baked for you. Who knows...