If you need to specify or limit the type of data that can be entered into a cell, you can apply rules to the cell. This is called data validation.
When adding data validation to cells, you also have the option to add an input message that will appear indicating the allowable data.
In this article, you will learn the steps to apply data validation to cells within an Excel worksheet.
You can use data validation to create a drop-down list, limiting the types of data that can be entered into the cell.
From the worksheet, select the appropriate cell(s) to apply data validation.
Example shown here: column header U .
With the appropriate cell(s) selected, click the Data tab.
Click the Data Validation button.
The Data Validation menu is displayed.
Click the Allow: dropdown list
From the displayed list, choose the data format you want to allow for the selected cells.
Example shown here: the Decimal option.
Click the Data: dropdown menu.
You can limit the acceptable data in the cells to a particular number or range using the displayed options.
Click to select the appropriate Data: option.
Example shown here: the equal to option allows data equal to a value you will specify.
In the Value: field, enter an appropriate value to specify data allowable according to the Data: field.
Example shown here: " 8 " in the Value: field so that the column only accepts data equal to 8.
To add a message to your data validation rule, click the Input Message tab.
An input message displays information when a cell with data validation is selected in a worksheet.
Enter an appropriate title for your message in the Title: field.
Example shown here: " Alert " in the Title field.
To add an input message with your validation rule, enter the appropriate information in the Input message: field.
Example shown here: " Badge Numbers begin with an 8 ".
Click the OK button.
Upon selecting a cell with the applied data validation, the created input message appears.
To further test the data validation rule you applied to the selected cells, enter a number that does not match the criteria you set in a blank cell within the data validation range of cells.
Example shown here: " 719000122 " in cell 19 , column U .
The created input error message is displayed, which confirms that the data validation rule you created has been applied.