Data Validation:

Data validation in Excel is a feature that allows us to control the type of data
entered into your worksheet. For example, Excel data validation allows us to
limit data entries to a selection from a dropdown list and to restrict certain
data entries, such as dates or numbers outside of a predetermined range.

Open Ms Excel > Open Data Tab> Select data validation

open drop down > select Data validation

By default it allows any value ie a number ,text, date, function etc.

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Whole Numbers:
Lets suppose we restrict the data into whole number only

We restrict the data in whole column from (10-100) as we can see by typing 9
on the cell it will generate error message.

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• Text Length
Now if we go for text length(if we want to type any text the text length
will be between 3-5 character)
Select the whole column

The same way is used which we applied for whole numbers

Open Data Tab> Select data validation> Text Length

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When we keep on typing on that cell

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If we type more than 5 characters the same error message will generate

Date
In this column suppose we want to insert only dates

Open Data Tab> Select data validation> Date

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While entering invalid entry we get error message

Drop down list:

Drop-downs allow people to pick an item from a list that you create. In a
new worksheet, type the entries you want to appear in your drop-down
list. Ideally, you'll have your list items in an Excel table.

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Suppose we want to create the drop down list that list contains name of
countries. Select the whole column

Open Data Tab> Select data validation> list

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Select the list, create the list, Suppose we want to insert the name of
countries type the names of countries we want to add on our list. As a
result dropdown list will create.

Drop down list from sheet:

If we don’t want to type data on the list then another method is fetching
data from given sheet .

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Click on this button shown in figure below.

Select the given countries

Click ok

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 Note :
If we mistakenly delete the data from the sheet it will automatically
delete from the list as well. To secure this sheet make another sheet,
hide it or lock that sheet to secure that data

Input messages and error messages:

Error messages:
If error is occur on data validation and we are not able to understand the error
message. So the error should be that accurate so that user should be able to
understand that error message.so that time we can create our own error
message and display it.

• After selecting the whole Colum click on error alert as shown below

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Type the error message we want to display on our screen

As a result if we put wrong entry , error will show like

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We can customized our error message as well so the user can easily
understand

Input messages:
When I hover my cursor to the cell the user should be able to
understand what entry should be add in required cell. This is called input
message.

Similarly select “input message”

Type message we want to show

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To check that , keep your cursor at any place (Selected cells only) the
message will automatically display

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