i have 3 drop down list. Make/Model/Part
for make i am using (Motorola,Nokia,Samsung,LG,etc)
there are about 3 times as many models for nokias then any other make. but
so i have the range to cover the maximum possibilities. but when i click on
somehting other then nokia, there are a lot of blank possibilities

Is there a way to change the range of the second drop down list based on the
value of the first?

Yes, First try checking the "ignore blank" checkbox when setting up the Data
Validation.

If that doesn't accomplish what you need...

Try setting up an indirect() array reference to the list of possible choices.
use the Countif() function to build a cell with the text equaling the
dynamic array reference.
I.E. =INDIRECT(AA1) goes in the "source" box on the Data
Validation|Settings tab

Where AA1 contains "AB1:AB200"; Use ="AB1:AB"&Countif(AB:AB," ") to
build the reference matching the number of cells. The list of models in
Column AB should be dynamically built using the choice made in A1 to only
include those models that go with a selected make.

Hope this helps.

"choice" wrote:

i have 3 drop down list. Make/Model/Part
for make i am using (Motorola,Nokia,Samsung,LG,etc)
there are about 3 times as many models for nokias then any other make. but
so i have the range to cover the maximum possibilities. but when i click on
somehting other then nokia, there are a lot of blank possibilities

Is there a way to change the range of the second drop down list based on the
value of the first?

There are instructions here for dependent data validation lists:

http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal02.html

choice wrote:
i have 3 drop down list. Make/Model/Part
for make i am using (Motorola,Nokia,Samsung,LG,etc)
there are about 3 times as many models for nokias then any other make. but
so i have the range to cover the maximum possibilities. but when i click on
somehting other then nokia, there are a lot of blank possibilities

Is there a way to change the range of the second drop down list based on the
value of the first?


--
Debra Dalgleish
Excel FAQ, Tips & Book List
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html