ComboBox Data Validation Add-in
Post date: Jan 1, 2016 4:51:20 PM
Make data entry easier.
Problem
Problem
Data validation’s dropdown lists do a good job of preventing bad entries and for small lists they help find the right code. Dropdowns, however, fall short for larger lists or longer codes. We need what dropdowns lack. We need autocomplete. We need lists positioned by partial entries. We need to search for codes by description.
Data validation’s dropdown lists do a good job of preventing bad entries and for small lists they help find the right code. Dropdowns, however, fall short for larger lists or longer codes. We need what dropdowns lack. We need autocomplete. We need lists positioned by partial entries. We need to search for codes by description.
Autocomplete
Autocomplete
ComboBoxes find matching entries as we type and they often autocomplete with the correct entry after just a few keystrokes. This greatly improves data entry efficiency if we know the correct spelling. What if we don’t?
ComboBoxes find matching entries as we type and they often autocomplete with the correct entry after just a few keystrokes. This greatly improves data entry efficiency if we know the correct spelling. What if we don’t?
Position by Partial Entry
Position by Partial Entry
Like dropdowns we can scroll through ComboBoxes’ value list to pick codes that looks right. This helps if we have some idea of what the code is. What if we don’t?
Like dropdowns we can scroll through ComboBoxes’ value list to pick codes that looks right. This helps if we have some idea of what the code is. What if we don’t?
Search for Code by Description
Search for Code by Description
This add-in provides another very useful feature, find-by-text. With the ComboBox displayed, press F4 to display and search by code descriptions.
This add-in provides another very useful feature, find-by-text. With the ComboBox displayed, press F4 to display and search by code descriptions.
Easy as Pi
Easy as Pi
Implementing vastly superior data entry support couldn’t be easier. Just set your data validation as you normally would, load this add-in and switch it on. That’s it!
Implementing vastly superior data entry support couldn’t be easier. Just set your data validation as you normally would, load this add-in and switch it on. That’s it!
Making the Magic Happen
Making the Magic Happen
The add-in finds all cells with data validation set to list. When users select one of those cells, the add-in loads a ComboBox from the cell’s validation formula and displays the ComboBox over the cell. When the user exits the ComboBox the add-in hides It keeping our data entry area clean.
The add-in finds all cells with data validation set to list. When users select one of those cells, the add-in loads a ComboBox from the cell’s validation formula and displays the ComboBox over the cell. When the user exits the ComboBox the add-in hides It keeping our data entry area clean.
Seeing is believing
Seeing is believing
Install the demo. Try it out. See how easy data entry can be. And if you like coding, open the VBE, examine the code, and use this guide to understand how to add feature rich ComboBoxes to your own projects without the add-in.
Install the demo. Try it out. See how easy data entry can be. And if you like coding, open the VBE, examine the code, and use this guide to understand how to add feature rich ComboBoxes to your own projects without the add-in.
