Data Validation and Name Range
 

To All,
I have a named range that includes some blank cells that I am trying
to eliminate from a drop down list on another worksheet. I have Googled
the internet and searched through several Excel newsgroups and think the
solution is the use of INDIRECT and Dynamic ranges, except using COUNTA
stops at the first blank cell.

Can someone point me in the right direction with either a Formula or
VBA that will take a named range (I would like a Dynamic range - if
possible), strip out the blank cells to use with a drop down data
validation list.

Thanks
Harry

Data Validation and Name Range
 

I think you would need to build a contiguous list (no blank cells) in another
range to do this. As I recall, Named ranges with complex formulas don't work
well in data validation.

you can use a formula like

=IF(COUNTA($F$1:$F$50)=ROW(),OFFSET($F$1,SMALL(IF ($F$1:$F$50<"",ROW($F$1:$F$50)),ROW())-1,0),"")

to get a list with no blanks.

This is an array formula and would be entered with Ctrl+Shift+enter rather
than just enter. then drag fill down the column (entered in G1 and filled
down in the example)

Then your dynamic range would be

Name: List1

Refersto: =Offset(Sheet1!$G$1,0,0,counta(Sheet1!$G$1:$G$50), 1)

where G1 and down is where you formula is placed.

--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy

"Harry Stevens" wrote:

To All,
I have a named range that includes some blank cells that I am trying
to eliminate from a drop down list on another worksheet. I have Googled
the internet and searched through several Excel newsgroups and think the
solution is the use of INDIRECT and Dynamic ranges, except using COUNTA
stops at the first blank cell.

Can someone point me in the right direction with either a Formula or
VBA that will take a named range (I would like a Dynamic range - if
possible), strip out the blank cells to use with a drop down data
validation list.

Thanks
Harry

Data Validation and Name Range
 

Tom Ogilvy wrote:
I think you would need to build a contiguous list (no blank cells) in another
range to do this. As I recall, Named ranges with complex formulas don't work
well in data validation.

you can use a formula like

=IF(COUNTA($F$1:$F$50)=ROW(),OFFSET($F$1,SMALL(IF ($F$1:$F$50<"",ROW($F$1:$F$50)),ROW())-1,0),"")

to get a list with no blanks.

This is an array formula and would be entered with Ctrl+Shift+enter rather
than just enter. then drag fill down the column (entered in G1 and filled
down in the example)

Then your dynamic range would be

Name: List1

Refersto: =Offset(Sheet1!$G$1,0,0,counta(Sheet1!$G$1:$G$50), 1)

where G1 and down is where you formula is placed.


Tom,
Thanks it works! Now I have to see where and how to use it. I was
having problems with it until I reread your post and noticed the
Ctrl+Shift=Enter that I missed before. This part I did not understand.
Now that I have it working I am going to see if I can have the list
change as I change budget years. Since each budget has different line
items. I currently use
=SUMIF(INDIRECT("'Budget"&RIGHT(YEAR($I$1),2)&"'!A :A"),$B11,INDIRECT("'Budget"&RIGHT(YEAR($I$1),2)&" '!D:D"))
to get the money and expenses for that year..now if I can make the range
of items change to reflect that budget year would be nice, but not
necessary.

Thanks
Harry