Hi there,
i am trying to get a searchable dropdown list to work.
my problem is that I have multiple rows and I want to have a searchable dropdown in every row (as I may need to perform more than a single test, I have a file example attached).
Right now the first Test line shows results from a 'helper' list that is searching the main test list, and it works however it doesn't work anymore on the second or other lines down. Short of making a 'helper'list/field for every entry to account for additional tests how can that (if at all) be achieved.
Any input is appreciated (and yes, I am not an XL Wizard but I am trying to learn so I can apply this to other things as well)
Hello,
Can you describe more detailed what it is you want to achieve? As it is now I am not clear with what you want to do.
Here is one technique you can use to get searchable drop down lists.
If you by chance want to have a reducing drop down lists, there is an article about it too.
Br,
Anders
Hi Anders,
Thank you for your response, and I am happy to explain what I want.
I have a table with a bunch of different tests, and for the first line I have created a searchable drop-down.
However, I want the same in the second, third and any other row and not just the first.
In my attached file I have the list with 15 tests ( in reality >800) and a drop-down for this many items is a pain to scroll, so I like to get a searchable.
Hope that made it more clear.
Hello,
I am not sure I understand what you mean with having a searchable drop down list, normally that termonology means that you start write in the cell and the more characters you type you narrow down the matching options in the drop down list to pick from. In that sense you don't have a searchable drop down list.
What you have created is that you first list all the 15 Test options, then you filter the drop down list to only include the option and options similar to it that you picked in the first cell, thus removing all other options. Which makes it useless for the remaining rows. If you for example pick Test 1 as the first test, then you have Test 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 remaining as options, because all those have Test 1 in the name.
I don't see any reason to do so. If you intend to have the option you picked in the first row to be removed from the drop down list, meaning you can't reuse that option, then take a look at the article about reducing drop down list I linked to in my previous post.
If you want to have the same data source as drop down list options for all rows, then you can't filter any options out. Even if you just have a regular data validation list (not searchable) you can always type in the option you want, meaning that you don't have to open the list and pick the wanted option. If you want it to be strictly according to what the options that exists in the data source, then you activate the Error Alert for the data validation. Else you can actually type in whatever you want.
Br,
Anders
