I'm trying to create a drop down list in a cell, the data range consists of
multiple rows and multiple columns. I have others just like it working in the
same workbook but this time it's giving me an error stating:

"the source needs to be a delimited list or reference to a single row or
column".

I must be doing something wrong.

A delimited list is a list of items separated by a specific character, such as a comma or semicolon. In the context of creating a drop-down list in Excel, a delimited list refers to a list of items that are separated by a specific character and can be used as the source for the drop-down list.

To create a delimited list in Excel, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the Excel workbook that contains the data range you want to use for the drop-down list.
2. Select the range of cells that contains the data you want to use for the drop-down list.
3. Click on the "Data" tab in the Excel ribbon.
4. Click on the "Data Validation" button in the "Data Tools" group.
5. In the "Data Validation" dialog box, select "List" from the "Allow" drop-down list.
6. In the "Source" field, enter the range of cells that contains the data you want to use for the drop-down list, separated by a comma or semicolon.
   
   For example, if your data range is A1:B5, you would enter
   Code:

   "A1:B5"

   (without quotes) in the "Source" field.
   
7. Click "OK" to close the "Data Validation" dialog box.

If you receive an error message stating that the source needs to be a delimited list or reference to a single row or column, it may be because you have selected a range of cells that contains multiple rows and columns. In this case, you will need to modify the source to include only a single row or column.

To do this, you can select a single row or column within the range of cells you want to use for the drop-down list, and then use the "Name Box" (located to the left of the formula bar) to enter a name for the selected row or column. You can then use this named range as the source for the drop-down list.

If you're creating a data validation list, you have to use a single row
or column, or a delimited list, which is a list separated by the
separator recognized on your system. For example:

Yes,No,Maybe

brian wrote:
I'm trying to create a drop down list in a cell, the data range consists of
multiple rows and multiple columns. I have others just like it working in the
same workbook but this time it's giving me an error stating:

"the source needs to be a delimited list or reference to a single row or
column".

I must be doing something wrong.




--
Debra Dalgleish
Contextures
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html

A delimited list would be something like:

Brian,Jimmy,Ralph,Mary,Susan

This list of names is delimited by a comma.

But read that message again--you have to use a single row or a single column if
you want to use a range of cells.

brian wrote:

I'm trying to create a drop down list in a cell, the data range consists of
multiple rows and multiple columns. I have others just like it working in the
same workbook but this time it's giving me an error stating:

"the source needs to be a delimited list or reference to a single row or
column".

I must be doing something wrong.

--

Dave Peterson

I don't believe that you can do this. My data lists are always all in one
column...
http://www.officearticles.com/excel/...soft_excel.htm
****************************
Hope it helps!
Anne Troy
www.OfficeArticles.com
****************************
"brian" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to create a drop down list in a cell, the data range consists
of
multiple rows and multiple columns. I have others just like it working in
the
same workbook but this time it's giving me an error stating:

"the source needs to be a delimited list or reference to a single row or
column".

I must be doing something wrong.

A delimited list is one that you manully type into the refedit. The items
are delimited by a comma:

Screencap: delimited list

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/8...tedlistkz6.jpg

Screncap: range source

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/4...esourcefn1.jpg

A range source must be a reference to a single row or column.

Biff

"brian" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to create a drop down list in a cell, the data range consists
of
multiple rows and multiple columns. I have others just like it working in
the
same workbook but this time it's giving me an error stating:

"the source needs to be a delimited list or reference to a single row or
column".

I must be doing something wrong.