hi, Bart !

... I was not "really" aware of the 255 char limit
(although one clearly hits it when setting up a validation list through the normal Excel interface as I found out).
I am not sure I understand what you mean by "not really being assigned".
In my VBA code I assign a rather long (255) validaton list.
By handling "SheetChange" events I catch the user making a selection
and I/the user can use every element of this large list, exactly like I intended.
It is only when I save the workbook and reopen it that Excel complains.

AFAIK, versions prior to 2003 does really complain when trying to set a 255 characters validation-list (even by code)
also, some versions won't let you "quit" the application :-((

hth,
hector.