If I understand what you are asking for, drop-down lists should do the trick.
On the hidden sheet, insert the list of choices for a particular column on
the visible sheet. Place a title at the top, highlight all the cells except
for the title. In the address box (upper left of screen) type the title you
have chosen.
Click on "Data/List/Create List". Your chosen cells will be represented on
the dialog box that appears. Click OK.

On the sheet to be updated highlight the range of cells in a column that
fits the list you created. Click on "Data/Validation". Choose "List" from
the choices. Type "=(your title)" in the Source box and close the dialog.

You should see a drop-down arrow which, when clicked, will display the
choices.

Jim

"kyle" wrote:

I have a program with quite a few macros, so the formatting of the names used
in the program must be identical. I thought I could remedy this by adding a
database of some sort so that they would be forced to pick the name from a
list. I am quite in the dark about all of this and actually got the idea
from someone else on the discussion group. If someone could briefly explain
how that would work or a way to write the macro I'm looking for that would be
great. I would need the list to be updated by other people if that helps and
the person I got the idea from used a hidden sheet.

ps. if you need more information about something just let me know, I
understand if it's a little confusing since I'm quite confused.

thanks,
Kyle

Thank you very much that works great.

Now how do I make the sheet hidden? Also, is there a way to write a macro
or something to create a button to toggle between hiding this sheet and
letting it be visible.

Thanks,
Kyle

"Jim Jackson" wrote:

If I understand what you are asking for, drop-down lists should do the trick.
On the hidden sheet, insert the list of choices for a particular column on
the visible sheet. Place a title at the top, highlight all the cells except
for the title. In the address box (upper left of screen) type the title you
have chosen.
Click on "Data/List/Create List". Your chosen cells will be represented on
the dialog box that appears. Click OK.

On the sheet to be updated highlight the range of cells in a column that
fits the list you created. Click on "Data/Validation". Choose "List" from
the choices. Type "=(your title)" in the Source box and close the dialog.

You should see a drop-down arrow which, when clicked, will display the
choices.

Jim

"kyle" wrote:

I have a program with quite a few macros, so the formatting of the names used
in the program must be identical. I thought I could remedy this by adding a
database of some sort so that they would be forced to pick the name from a
list. I am quite in the dark about all of this and actually got the idea
from someone else on the discussion group. If someone could briefly explain
how that would work or a way to write the macro I'm looking for that would be
great. I would need the list to be updated by other people if that helps and
the person I got the idea from used a hidden sheet.

ps. if you need more information about something just let me know, I
understand if it's a little confusing since I'm quite confused.

thanks,
Kyle

One more thing...

Is there a way to set it up that instead of having to search through the
drop down menu they can type the name and it will check to make sure it is in
the database?

Thanks,
Kyle

"Jim Jackson" wrote:

If I understand what you are asking for, drop-down lists should do the trick.
On the hidden sheet, insert the list of choices for a particular column on
the visible sheet. Place a title at the top, highlight all the cells except
for the title. In the address box (upper left of screen) type the title you
have chosen.
Click on "Data/List/Create List". Your chosen cells will be represented on
the dialog box that appears. Click OK.

On the sheet to be updated highlight the range of cells in a column that
fits the list you created. Click on "Data/Validation". Choose "List" from
the choices. Type "=(your title)" in the Source box and close the dialog.

You should see a drop-down arrow which, when clicked, will display the
choices.

Jim

"kyle" wrote:

I have a program with quite a few macros, so the formatting of the names used
in the program must be identical. I thought I could remedy this by adding a
database of some sort so that they would be forced to pick the name from a
list. I am quite in the dark about all of this and actually got the idea
from someone else on the discussion group. If someone could briefly explain
how that would work or a way to write the macro I'm looking for that would be
great. I would need the list to be updated by other people if that helps and
the person I got the idea from used a hidden sheet.

ps. if you need more information about something just let me know, I
understand if it's a little confusing since I'm quite confused.

thanks,
Kyle

When they begin typing the list will automatically add the name. In the case
where there are more than one name with the first two or three letters, the
list will show the closest match. But as they continue typing, the list will
continue to show the closest match to what they are entering. If they add a
letter that does not belong to any valid entries, the auto-fill will stop.

To make the sheet hidden, you can manually click on "Format/Sheet/Hide"
while you have that sheet activated.

If the Control Toolbox is not visible, click on "View/Toolbars/Control
Toolbox" and you can add command buttons on your Main Sheet for hiding and
unhiding the other sheet.


Code for hiding:
Sub CommandButton1_Click()
Sheets("your sheet name").Visible = False
End Sub

Code for unhiding: (With a password)
Sub CommandButton2_Click()
dim pswd
pswd = "abc123"
if msgbox("Please enter the password.", vkOkOnly) = pswd then
Sheets("your sheet name").Visible = True
Else
Exit Sub
End Sub

If you don't need the password just use lines 1,5 and 8.

Best wishes,

Jim



"kyle" wrote:

One more thing...

Is there a way to set it up that instead of having to search through the
drop down menu they can type the name and it will check to make sure it is in
the database?

Thanks,
Kyle

"Jim Jackson" wrote:

If I understand what you are asking for, drop-down lists should do the trick.
On the hidden sheet, insert the list of choices for a particular column on
the visible sheet. Place a title at the top, highlight all the cells except
for the title. In the address box (upper left of screen) type the title you
have chosen.
Click on "Data/List/Create List". Your chosen cells will be represented on
the dialog box that appears. Click OK.

On the sheet to be updated highlight the range of cells in a column that
fits the list you created. Click on "Data/Validation". Choose "List" from
the choices. Type "=(your title)" in the Source box and close the dialog.

You should see a drop-down arrow which, when clicked, will display the
choices.

Jim

"kyle" wrote:

I have a program with quite a few macros, so the formatting of the names used
in the program must be identical. I thought I could remedy this by adding a
database of some sort so that they would be forced to pick the name from a
list. I am quite in the dark about all of this and actually got the idea
from someone else on the discussion group. If someone could briefly explain
how that would work or a way to write the macro I'm looking for that would be
great. I would need the list to be updated by other people if that helps and
the person I got the idea from used a hidden sheet.

ps. if you need more information about something just let me know, I
understand if it's a little confusing since I'm quite confused.

thanks,
Kyle