I have 2 validation boxes. The first is a simple list of 5 options (based on
a 'name' range). The second is a filter of a larger list depending on the
answer in the first box. I have made my 'name' range as big as the largest
list but other lists are quite short. The problem I have it that the drop
down box is showing all the blank cells in my 'name' range.

The bigger problem is that when you select the pull down it highlights the
blank field first instead of the first item on the list so you have to scroll
up. This is a problem as staff think there is nothing on the list. So how do
I either not show the blanks or get the drop down to start at the top of the
list?
--
Hayley

Instead of including blank cells in the name range, you could use dynamic
ranges, as described he

http://www.contextures.com/xlNames01.html

Or dependent validation lists:

http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal02.html

--
Debra Dalgleish
Excel FAQ, Tips & Book List
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html


"Hayley" wrote in message
...
I have 2 validation boxes. The first is a simple list of 5 options (based
on
a 'name' range). The second is a filter of a larger list depending on the
answer in the first box. I have made my 'name' range as big as the largest
list but other lists are quite short. The problem I have it that the drop
down box is showing all the blank cells in my 'name' range.

The bigger problem is that when you select the pull down it highlights the
blank field first instead of the first item on the list so you have to
scroll
up. This is a problem as staff think there is nothing on the list. So how
do
I either not show the blanks or get the drop down to start at the top of
the
list?
--
Hayley

The range is an array formula so I had copy it down enough rows to allow for
the largest number of items. So while the result is blank the cell has a
formula. So your suggestion didn't work.
--
Hayley

Hi!

Are the blanks cells scattered within the range or are they all at the end
of the range?

Did you try Debra's suggestion of using a dynamic range? If so, what does
you formula look like?

Biff

"Hayley" wrote in message
...
The range is an array formula so I had copy it down enough rows to allow
for
the largest number of items. So while the result is blank the cell has a
formula. So your suggestion didn't work.
--
Hayley

Blank cells are at the end of the range.

The formula in the 'name' range was the same as Debra's suggestion (with
columns changed). The formula in the select cell is as below

=IF(ISERROR(INDEX($T$1:$U$62,SMALL(IF($T$1:$T$62=$ W$1,ROW($T$1:$T$62)),ROW(3:3)),2)),"",INDEX($T$1:$ U$62,SMALL(IF($T$1:$T$62=$W$1,ROW($T$1:$T$62)),ROW (3:3)),2))
--
Hayley


"Biff" wrote:

Hi!

Are the blanks cells scattered within the range or are they all at the end
of the range?

Did you try Debra's suggestion of using a dynamic range? If so, what does
you formula look like?

Biff

That's the formula you are using as the source for your drop down list?

That formula only returns a single value.

I think we're not understanding each other!

Assume you have a range of values that you want to use as the source for a
data validation drop down list. That range includes formula blanks in
several cells at the end of the range. This range is A1:A10 and looks
something like this:

A1 = Joe
A2 = Mary
A3 = Lisa
A4 = Tom
A5 = Karen
A6 = "" (formula blank)
A7 = "" (formula blank)
A8 = "" (formula blank)
A9 = "" (formula blank)
A10 = "" (formula blank)

To use this range as the source for a drop down:

Select the cell where you want the drop down.
Goto DataValidation
Allow: List
Source: =OFFSET($A$1,,,SUMPRODUCT(--(LEN($A$1:$A$10)0)))
OK out

Your drop down list will not contain any blank selections.

=IF(ISERROR(INDEX($T$1:$U$62,SMALL(IF($T$1:$T$62=$ W$1,ROW($T$1:$T$62)),ROW(3:3)),2)),"",INDEX($T$1:$ U$62,SMALL(IF($T$1:$T$62=$W$1,ROW($T$1:$T$62)),ROW (3:3)),2))

While I'm at it, that formula can be shortened to: (if my hunch is correct!)

=IF(ROWS($1:1)<=COUNTIF($T$1:$T$62,$W$1),INDEX($U$ 1:$U$62,SMALL(IF($T$1:$T$62=$W$1,ROW($T$1:$T$62)), ROW(3:3))),"")

Biff

"Hayley" wrote in message
...
Blank cells are at the end of the range.

The formula in the 'name' range was the same as Debra's suggestion (with
columns changed). The formula in the select cell is as below

=IF(ISERROR(INDEX($T$1:$U$62,SMALL(IF($T$1:$T$62=$ W$1,ROW($T$1:$T$62)),ROW(3:3)),2)),"",INDEX($T$1:$ U$62,SMALL(IF($T$1:$T$62=$W$1,ROW($T$1:$T$62)),ROW (3:3)),2))
--
Hayley


"Biff" wrote:

Hi!

Are the blanks cells scattered within the range or are they all at the
end
of the range?

Did you try Debra's suggestion of using a dynamic range? If so, what does
you formula look like?

Biff