How to apply Data Validation to Cells in Microsoft Excel
When several data variables are hosted in a project, the temporal and spatial grids of these variables must be identical. As such, you must control the data entered by other people. This is where you need Data validation. Microsoft Excel simplifies this work.
How to use data validation for Excel cells
Data validation function in Excel allows a user to control what can be entered into a cell or to provide a predefined list of acceptable entries to eliminate possible errors or errors. It is applied via rules defined in theThe data’, Under the ribbon menu. The process involves:
- Enter data validation details
- Customize the input message
- Customize error alert
One of the most common uses of data validation is to create a drop-down list.
1]Enter data validation details
Open the Microsoft Excel file, select the cells you want to limit.
Go to ‘The data’Located in the ribbon menu.
Under the ‘Data tools“Select”Data validation“
When the data validation window opens, you will see several controls. You can make sure that only numbers are added or a particular length of text, such as a phone number.
In the case of our example, select “Time’To choose between business hours.
Specify the start time and the end time.
2]Customize the input message
Now go to ‘Input messageThe “tab.
Customize the input message that you want to appear when something different is entered than what was specified.
3]Customize error alert
Go to ‘Error alertThe “tab.
Enter the message you want to appear or simply choose to keep the default values.
At the end, press the “OK” button.
Now, when one of the cells is selected, everyone will see the reminder of the entry message where the schedules can be entered.
However, when the entered timing is out of range, an error message is displayed.
In short, data validation can display a message to a user telling them what is allowed and what is not!
Read more: How to record a macro to create a shortcut button for multiple formats in Word and Excel.