How to Apply data validation to cells in Microsoft Excel

You can use data validation to restrict the type of data or the values that users enter into a cell. One of the most common data validation uses is to create a drop-down list.

Before the start, do have a look on “What’s new in Excel 2019 for Windows“

To Apply data validation to cells in Microsoft Excel

1. Select the cell(s) you want to create a rule for.

2. Select Data >Data Validation.

3. On the Settings tab, under Allow, select an option:

• The whole Number – to restrict the cell to accept only whole numbers
• Decimal – to restrict the cell to accept only decimal numbers
• List – to pick data from the drop-down list
• Date – to restrict the cell to accept the only date
• Time – to restrict the cell to accept only time
• Text Length – to restrict the length of the text
• Custom – for custom formula.

4. Under Data, select a condition:

• between
• not between
• equal to
• not equal to
• greater than
• less than
• greater than or equal to
• less than or equal to

5. On the Settings tab, under Allow, select an option

Read Also: Conditional Formatting in Microsoft Excel to Highlight the Information

6. Set the other required values, based on what you chose for Allow and Data. For example, if you select between, then select the Minimum: and Maximum: values for the cell(s).

7. Select the Ignore blank checkbox if you want to ignore blank spaces.

8. If you want to add a Title and message for your rule, select the Input Message tab, and then type a title and input message.

9. Select the Show input message when the cell has selected the checkbox to display the message when the user selects or hovers over the selected cell(s).

10. Select OK.

Now, if the user tries to enter a value that is not valid, a pop-up appears with the message, “This value doesn’t match the data validation restrictions for this cell.”

In the example worksheet, following data validation are defined

Worksheet	Data Validation Type
Whole number	Limit entries to whole numbers
Decimal	Limit entries to decimal (percentage) values
Departments	Limit selections to list choices
Cost centres table	Table for Cost centre list source
Cost centre budget	Limit selections to Cost centre list choices
Date	Limit entries to dates within a range
Time	Limit entries between a time frame
Text length	Limit entries to a certain number of characters
HR Budget	Limit entries to a certain maximum amount
Products	Require entries to meet certain text guidelines
Age verification	Limit entries below a certain age
Custom values	Limit entries to unique values only (no repeated entries)
E-Mail	Require entries to contain the @ symbol

Want to try these examples yourself? Use the Download Companion Practice Sheet button below this post to get the free practice workbook.

If you have any doubt, feel free to contact.

Read Also:

• Create a PivotTable to analyze worksheet data
• Create a Map Chart in Microsoft Excel 2019

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The same data as this tutorial, with empty answer cells and a Solutions sheet.

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