VALIDATION LIST ORDER
 

Hi all,
I created a validation list quite some time ago and it has always worked
fine. Lately, however, when selecting the cell that has the validation, the
list doesn't show from the top down (ie, the first item in the list....top of
column) but it starts at the bottom with several blank cells and the user has
to scroll up to the top to the first option. Anyone have any suggestions on
what might have changed and how to correct this?

Thanks!
Tom

VALIDATION LIST ORDER
 

If I understand you correctly, you have a validation list range that includes
blank cells at the bottom of the list. Presumably, you did that to allow for
additions to the list.

Typically, when you click on a DV cell, the list activates the cell's value
within the list when the list is displayed. If the cell is blank and there
are no blank cells in the DV list, the list aligns at the top and no item is
selected. However, if the cell is blank and the DV list contains even one
blank, the drop down list activates that blank items when displayed, usually
at the bottom.

If my assumption that your list contains blanks to allow for future
additions is correct, you may want to consider basing the DV on a Dynamic
Named Range, which automaticaly expands and contracts to accommodate the list
items.

See Debra Dalgleish's website for instructions:
http://www.contextures.com/xlNames01.html#Dynamic

Does that help?
***********
Regards,
Ron

XL2002, WinXP


"Tom" wrote:

Hi all,
I created a validation list quite some time ago and it has always worked
fine. Lately, however, when selecting the cell that has the validation, the
list doesn't show from the top down (ie, the first item in the list....top of
column) but it starts at the bottom with several blank cells and the user has
to scroll up to the top to the first option. Anyone have any suggestions on
what might have changed and how to correct this?

Thanks!
Tom

VALIDATION LIST ORDER
 

How very right you are - both on the assumption and the solution. I did allow
room for future entires but will now take a look at that link you provided.
thanks for the help Ron....much appreciated!

"Ron Coderre" wrote:

If I understand you correctly, you have a validation list range that includes
blank cells at the bottom of the list. Presumably, you did that to allow for
additions to the list.

Typically, when you click on a DV cell, the list activates the cell's value
within the list when the list is displayed. If the cell is blank and there
are no blank cells in the DV list, the list aligns at the top and no item is
selected. However, if the cell is blank and the DV list contains even one
blank, the drop down list activates that blank items when displayed, usually
at the bottom.

If my assumption that your list contains blanks to allow for future
additions is correct, you may want to consider basing the DV on a Dynamic
Named Range, which automaticaly expands and contracts to accommodate the list
items.

See Debra Dalgleish's website for instructions:
http://www.contextures.com/xlNames01.html#Dynamic

Does that help?
***********
Regards,
Ron

XL2002, WinXP


"Tom" wrote:

Hi all,
I created a validation list quite some time ago and it has always worked
fine. Lately, however, when selecting the cell that has the validation, the
list doesn't show from the top down (ie, the first item in the list....top of
column) but it starts at the bottom with several blank cells and the user has
to scroll up to the top to the first option. Anyone have any suggestions on
what might have changed and how to correct this?

Thanks!
Tom

VALIDATION LIST ORDER
 

You're very welcome. I'm glad I could help......and thanks the feedback.

***********
Regards,
Ron

XL2002, WinXP


"Tom" wrote:

How very right you are - both on the assumption and the solution. I did allow
room for future entires but will now take a look at that link you provided.
thanks for the help Ron....much appreciated!

"Ron Coderre" wrote:

If I understand you correctly, you have a validation list range that includes
blank cells at the bottom of the list. Presumably, you did that to allow for
additions to the list.

Typically, when you click on a DV cell, the list activates the cell's value
within the list when the list is displayed. If the cell is blank and there
are no blank cells in the DV list, the list aligns at the top and no item is
selected. However, if the cell is blank and the DV list contains even one
blank, the drop down list activates that blank items when displayed, usually
at the bottom.

If my assumption that your list contains blanks to allow for future
additions is correct, you may want to consider basing the DV on a Dynamic
Named Range, which automaticaly expands and contracts to accommodate the list
items.

See Debra Dalgleish's website for instructions:
http://www.contextures.com/xlNames01.html#Dynamic

Does that help?
***********
Regards,
Ron

XL2002, WinXP


"Tom" wrote:

Hi all,
I created a validation list quite some time ago and it has always worked
fine. Lately, however, when selecting the cell that has the validation, the
list doesn't show from the top down (ie, the first item in the list....top of
column) but it starts at the bottom with several blank cells and the user has
to scroll up to the top to the first option. Anyone have any suggestions on
what might have changed and how to correct this?

Thanks!
Tom