How to use table reference within a data validation list in Excel (2023)

If you are in this page, you are probably aware of the advantages of Excel Tables and using them. Also, you probably wonder why you cannot use its special references, also known as structural references within data validation list. Although Excel is still not supporting this as we are writing this article, there are workarounds you can use. In this guide, we’re going to show you How to use table reference within a data validation list in Excel.

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Using named ranges

Although you can't use table reference within a data validation list directly, you can use a named range that refers to a table reference.

All you need to do is to select the column that holds your list items and give a name to it. The simplest way is to type a "valid" name into the reference box and press Enter after selecting the column.

How to use table reference within a data validation list in Excel (1)

Once the named range is created, you can use it within data validation list. Select the cell you want to add the data validation and open Data Validation dialog.

Type your new named range following an equal sign.

How to use table reference within a data validation list in Excel (2)

Tip: Alternatively, you can press F3 key to see the list of named ranges and paste the one you want. Press the F3 key after activating the Source box.

The good thing is a named range can keep a table reference as it is. Thus, you will not use the advantages of the table.

How to use table reference within a data validation list in Excel (3)

Tip: You can find more ways to add named ranges in 5 Ways to Create an Excel Named Range article.

INDIRECT function for using table reference within a data validation list

Another way is to use the INDIRECT function which can return the reference given as a text string. This means that that you can give the table reference to the INDIRECT function as a string.

=INDIRECT("Table1[Team]")

How to use table reference within a data validation list in Excel (4)

Although this method seems more "direct" and supports table's auto-size feature, it is vulnerable to the name changes. Because you need to give the string as a "static" value, a change on the table or column name will break the link between the table and the data validated cell.

FAQs

How to use table reference within a data validation list in Excel? ›

All you need to do is to select the column that holds your list items and give a name to it. The simplest way is to type a "valid" name into the reference box and press Enter after selecting the column. Once the named range is created, you can use it within data validation list.

How do I reference a table in Excel Data Validation? ›

Select the column in your data entry table that you wish to add data validation to. Go to Data/Data Validation or Alt + D + L to open the Data Validation window. Select “List” from the “Allow” dropdown menu. In the “Source” box, hit the F3 key and select your defined name from the “Paste Name” box.

How do you reference cells in Data Validation? ›

Excel data validation based on another cell

To enter a cell reference, either type it in the box preceded by an equal sign, or click the arrow next to the box, and then select the cell using the mouse. You can also click anywhere within the box, and then select the cell on the sheet.

How do I add a source to a data validation list? ›

On the worksheet where you applied the drop-down list, select a cell that has the drop-down list. Go to Data > Data Validation. On the Settings tab, click in the Source box, and then change your list items as needed.

How do I create a dynamic Data Validation list in Excel? ›

Here is a way to make it dynamic (and it's nothing but a minor tweak in the formula): Select a cell where you want to create the drop down list (cell C2 in this example). Go to Data –> Data Tools –> Data Validation. In the Data Validation dialogue box, within the Settings tab, select List as the Validation criteria.

How do I link a drop-down list to a table in sheets? ›

Create a drop-down list
  1. In Google Sheets, open a spreadsheet.
  2. Select the cell or cells where you want to create a drop-down list.
  3. Select an option: ...
  4. On the Data validation rules panel, under 'Criteria', select an option: ...
  5. OPTIONAL: If you enter data in a cell that doesn't match an item on the list, it is rejected.

How do you reference a named range in data validation? ›

Go to Data > Data validation. On the sidebar, click “Add a rule”. Select “Dropdown (from a range)” under 'Criteria'. In the range selection box, type the name of your range and press 'Enter'.

How do you link a cell value with a an Excel drop-down list? ›

Select the cells that you want to contain the lists. On the ribbon, click DATA > Data Validation. In the dialog, set Allow to List. Click in Source, type the text or numbers (separated by commas, for a comma-delimited list) that you want in your drop-down list, and click OK.

How many sub options are there in data validation option? ›

There are eight options available to validate for user input: Any Value - It removes any existing data validation. Whole Number - It allows only whole numbers. For example, you can specify that the user must enter the number between 0 to 30.

Can you have a formula in a cell with Data Validation? ›

We can write a custom formula to ensure that the data in a cell only allows upper case if text is entered into the cell. Highlight the range required eg: B3:B8. In the Ribbon, select Data > Data Tools > Data Validation.

How do I search within a Data Validation list? ›

Press the Menu button in the List Search window to see the options. Select Next Cell – After pressing the Enter key or Input Value button, the cell below the active cell is selected. This behavior can be changed in the direction drop-down menu. Down – selects the cell below the active cell.

Can you autofill Data Validation? ›

Dropdown lists are a handy way to make data entry and validation more efficient in Excel. We've now added AutoComplete functionality, which automatically compares the text typed in a cell to all items in the dropdown list and displays only the items that match.

How do I get unique values from a drop-down list? ›

The second drop down list contains unique distinct values from column B, based on chosen value in the first drop down list.
  1. Create a dynamic named range.
  2. Create a unique distinct list from column A.
  3. Create a dynamic named range to get unique distinct list.
  4. Create drop down list.
  5. Create a dynamic named range.

How do you dynamically extract a list of unique values from a column range in Excel? ›

4 Methods to Extract Unique Values
  1. Go to Data tab in the menu.
  2. In Sort and Filter box, Click Advanced button.
  3. Choose "Copy to another location"
  4. In "List range :" box, select a range from which unique values need to be extracted (including header)
  5. In "Copy to :" box, select a range in which final output to be put.

How do I add values to a Data Validation list in Excel? ›

Add data validation to a cell or a range

Select one or more cells to validate. On the Data tab, in the Data Tools group, click Data Validation . On the Settings tab, in the Allow box, select List . In the Source box, type your list values, separated by commas.

How do I create a dynamic table reference in Excel? ›

To create a dynamic table in Excel, we have two different methods: making a table of the data from the table section while another using the offset function. The reports and pivot tables also change as the data in the dynamic table changes in dynamic tables.

What is a dynamic dropdown? ›

The Static Dropdown is for cases when you, as a form author, want to provide, ahead of time, in Form Builder, the list of all the different choices users will be able to choose from. This is in contrast with the Dynamic Dropdown where the list of choices will be loaded at runtime from a service you provide.

How do you make a drop-down list change depending on selection sheets? ›

Change or delete a dropdown list
  1. In Google Sheets, open a spreadsheet.
  2. Select the cell or cells you want to change, then select an option: Click Data. ...
  3. Edit the dropdown list: To change the options listed, edit the items under "Criteria." ...
  4. Click Done.

How do I add multiple items to a drop-down list in sheets? ›

More often than not, you'll want to use your dropdown list for an entire row or column of cells. To do this, you can either drag the bottom-right corner of the cell with your dropdown menu to the cells you want to populate with the same list, or copy and paste the contents of the cell into other cells.

How do you reference a named range in a drop down list? ›

When you select the cells of a named range, you'll see the name in the name box. Now, you are ready to create a drop-down list that uses the named range. Select the cell where you want a drop-down list. Click Data Validation, select List, click in Source, press F3, select the name, click OK, and click OK again.

How do I reference a cell within Excel named range? ›

Just select the name of interest in the Excel Name Manager, and type a new reference directly in the Refers to box, or click the button at the right and select the desired range on the sheet. After you click the Close button, Excel will ask if you want to save the changes, and you click Yes. Tip.

How do I create a conditional list in Excel? ›

Select the cell where you want the Dependent/Conditional Drop Down list (E3 in this example). Go to Data –> Data Validation. In the Data Validation dialog box, within the setting tab, make sure List in selected.

Can you do a VLOOKUP on a drop-down list? ›

The VLOOKUP function in Excel can become interactive and more powerful when applying a Data Validation (drop down menu/list) as the Lookup_Value. So as you change your selection from the drop-down list, the Excel VLOOKUP value also changes.

How do I use multiple criteria in data validation in Excel? ›

Create a custom Data Validation rule for multiple criteria

From the “Allow” drop-down menu, select “Custom.” In the Formula field box, type an “ = “ and use Ctrl+V to paste your nested formula in the field. Click OK. NOTE: Only the Ctrl+V keyboard shortcut will work for this.

How do I select multiple options in data validation list in Excel? ›

Go to Data –> Data Tools –> Data Validation. In the Data Validation dialogue box, within the settings tab, select 'List' as Validation Criteria. In Source field, select the cells which have the items that you want in the drop down. Click OK.

Can a cell have multiple data validation rules? ›

You can create two lots of data validation in one column based on another column by using a custom formula. Here's how you can do it: Select the cells you want to apply data validation to. Go to the Data tab on the ribbon and click on Data Validation.

Can you have a drop down and a formula in the same cell? ›

As long as you apply them in that sequence (formula first, then DV), then Excel will let you do it. The formula will calculate correctly, even if the result is not an allowable input as far as DV is concerned. You will then be able to over-write the formula, using DV. Try it.

How do I automate data validation in Excel? ›

Select the Data Validation drop-down menu from which you need to choose the Data Validation option.
  1. The Data Validation dialog box will pop up.
  2. From the dialog box, open the Settings menu. Click on the List option given in the Allow drop-down menu.
  3. Enter the name range value '=Fruits'.
  4. Press OK.
Mar 27, 2023

How do I auto populate data in Excel based on another cell? ›

Fill data automatically in worksheet cells
  1. Select one or more cells you want to use as a basis for filling additional cells. For a series like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5..., type 1 and 2 in the first two cells. ...
  2. Drag the fill handle .
  3. If needed, click Auto Fill Options. and choose the option you want.

What is the difference between relative and absolute reference in Excel? ›

There are two types of cell references: relative and absolute. Relative and absolute references behave differently when copied and filled to other cells. Relative references change when a formula is copied to another cell. Absolute references, on the other hand, remain constant no matter where they are copied.

Can you use Countif with data validation? ›

Lookup by specific criteria using Data Validation

In this case, the COUNTIF function is part of an expression that returns TRUE when a value exists in a specified range or list, and FALSE if not. The COUNTIF function simply counts occurrences of the value in the list. Any count greater than zero will pass validation.

How do you add two formulas in data validation? ›

Select Custom option from the Allow drop down list; (3.) Type this formula: =OR(AND(LEFT(A2,3)="KTE",LEN(A2)=6),AND(LEFT(A2,3)="www",LEN(A2)=10)) into the Formula text box. Note: In the above formula, A2 is the cell which you want to apply the data validation, and you can change the criteria in the formula to your own.

How do you reference data in a table? ›

A reference within the text to a table, graph, diagram, etc. taken from a source should include the author, date and page number in brackets to enable the reader to identify the data. If you have already named the author in the text, only the publication year and page number needs to be mentioned in brackets.

How do you reference a named range in Data Validation? ›

Go to Data > Data validation. On the sidebar, click “Add a rule”. Select “Dropdown (from a range)” under 'Criteria'. In the range selection box, type the name of your range and press 'Enter'.

How do you set a validation rule when designing a table? ›

Open the table for which you want to validate records. On the Fields tab, in the Field Validation group, click Validation, and then click Record Validation Rule. Use the Expression Builder to create the rule.

How do you link a cell value with a an Excel drop down list? ›

Select the cells that you want to contain the lists. On the ribbon, click DATA > Data Validation. In the dialog, set Allow to List. Click in Source, type the text or numbers (separated by commas, for a comma-delimited list) that you want in your drop-down list, and click OK.

How to enter references for a one variable data table in Excel? ›

Go to the Data tab > Data Tools group, click the What-If Analysis button, and then click Data Table… In the Data Table dialog window, click in the Column Input cell box (because our Investment values are in a column), and select the variable cell referenced in your formula.

How do I make a table reference absolute in Excel? ›

Absolute Cell Reference Uses

When entering your formula, press the F4 key after each cell reference. It is Excel's default setting to make cell references absolute!

How do you reference someone else's table? ›

The label (table number) and title: Place the table number at the top in bold, then the title below the table number, and the table itself directly under the title. The title should be in italics and title case (see Glossary), with no full stop.

How do I link a Data Validation list to a table? ›

Add data validation to a cell or a range
  1. Select one or more cells to validate.
  2. On the Data tab, in the Data Tools group, click Data Validation .
  3. On the Settings tab, in the Allow box, select List .
  4. In the Source box, type your list values, separated by commas. ...
  5. Make sure that the In-cell dropdown check box is selected.

How do you reference a named range in a drop-down list? ›

When you select the cells of a named range, you'll see the name in the name box. Now, you are ready to create a drop-down list that uses the named range. Select the cell where you want a drop-down list. Click Data Validation, select List, click in Source, press F3, select the name, click OK, and click OK again.

What are the 3 ways to use validation rules? ›

Use Case of Validation Rules:
  • To limit the number of characters a user is allowed to input. Use case: To notify a user the phone number they entered is invalid.
  • To make sure data is not greater than what is entered. Use case: If a future date is not allowed.
  • To make sure data matches in two different fields.

How do I create a custom validation rule in Excel? ›

How to create custom data validation with formula
  1. Select one or more cells to validate.
  2. Open the Data Validation dialog box. ...
  3. On the Settings tab of the Data Validation dialog window, select Custom in the Allow box, and enter your data validation formula in the Formula box.
  4. Click OK.
Apr 5, 2023

What is table structure validation? ›

Table validation verifies that the content of a specific table matches across the Teradata Database systems. You can validate a table using row count, a validation expression, or both for some types of systems. You can set up table validation manually, with triggers, or as part of a workflow.

How do you auto populate a cell based on Data from another cell? ›

Fill data automatically in worksheet cells
  1. Select one or more cells you want to use as a basis for filling additional cells. For a series like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5..., type 1 and 2 in the first two cells. ...
  2. Drag the fill handle .
  3. If needed, click Auto Fill Options. and choose the option you want.

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