Excel Data Validation

By Josh Burnham

Joshua.Burnham@co.beltrami.mn.us

Beltrami County

What is data validation?

Basically it’s a way to almost guarantee that inputted data will be logical and will fits with-in certain parameters determined by the creator of the excel document

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• This can be very useful when groups of people are working on the same spread

Options for Data validation:�

• Whole numbers
• Decimals
• Drop down lists
• Dates
• Time
• Text Length
• Custom

Steps to set up data validation

• Select the cells you want the validation to happen with-in
• Select Data validation
• Select the type of validation you want to happen
• Set the range or the data you want to include

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Input messages can be useful

Input message can be used to give direction to other users when they

hover over a validation cell, this can be customized

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Error messages can be useful

A error message will pop up if the user inputs data that does not

meet the criteria set up by the originator, this can be customized

Other error message can be customized

Warnings – This will prompt the user. Data entered was not

within the parameters set, but will allow them to move forward

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Informational – This will prompt the user but come across as more informational

it will let the user move forward

Drop down lists

Drop down list continued �

Date validation

Can be useful when you want a form to only accept a certain date range

Custom�

You can use the custom data validation to do a variety of creative things here are a few examples

• Make it so a user can’t enter something into a cell until a different cell has data
• Make it is so you can’t enter duplicate data
• Upper case letters only

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Get creative folks, accounting does not have to be boring…. don’t be afraid to google stuff if you have an idea but don’t know how to create it

Thanks you for your time and is there any questions????

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