Excel University Blog

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Data Validation

Use Power Query to Create a Drop-Down List without Duplicates

By Jeff Lenning | June 8, 2016 |

In this post, we’ll create a drop-down that contains a unique list of choices derived from a column that contains duplicate values. This may sound familiar as we previously accomplished this with a PivotTable. However, the Power Query feature that’s built-in to Excel 2016 makes this process easier. Objective We have a data table that contains RepID,…

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Slicers by Jeff Lenning

Slicers as an Alternative to Conditional Drop Downs

By Jeff Lenning | February 9, 2015 |

Beginning with Excel 2013 for Windows, we can use Slicers to filter table data. In this post, we’ll explore how to use Slicers as a relatively easy alternative to conditional drop-downs. Objective When we want to allow a user to select a choice from a list of items, we often consider using the Data Validation feature to…

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Income Tax Formula

By Jeff Lenning | December 31, 2014 |

In this post, we’ll examine a couple of ideas for computing income tax in Excel using tax tables. Specifically, we’ll use VLOOKUP with a helper column, we’ll remove the helper column with SUMPRODUCT, and then we’ll use data validation and the INDIRECT function to make it easy to pick the desired tax table, such as single or married…

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Indirectly Refer to Table Columns

By Jeff Lenning | November 20, 2014 |

Previously, we explored using the INDIRECT function to refer to various tables in a workbook. In this follow-up post, we’ll expand the discussion and refer to individual table columns. Objective Let’s start with our objective. We have several tables in a workbook. They have the same structure and store department data. For example, here is…

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Referring to Tables Indirectly

By Jeff Lenning | November 13, 2014 |

In this post, we’ll allow the user to select a table name from a data validation drop-down and our Excel formulas will operate on the values from the selected table. Thanks to Neelima for asking about this technique! Objective Before we get too far, let’s be clear about our objective. We have several data tables in…

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Select Drop Down Item and use VLOOKUP to Return Multiple Attributes

By Jeff Lenning | October 2, 2014 |

In this post, we’ll explore a method to allow a user to select an item from a drop-down list and then use formulas with the VLOOKUP function to retrieve multiple values from the related item table. Objective Before digging into the mechanics, let’s review our objective with an example. We would like to allow our…

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Date Data Validation Drop-Down

By Jeff Lenning | September 18, 2014 |

In this post, we’ll create two data validation drop-down cells that provide the ability to select From and To dates based on the transaction dates stored in the source data. This will ensure that the date selections fall within a valid range of dates, that is, those months with data in the table. This technique…

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Unique Data Validation Drop-Down From Duplicate Table Data

By Jeff Lenning | September 10, 2014 |

In this post, we’ll explore a method for generating a drop-down that contains a unique list of choices derived from a table column with duplicate values. Objective Before we get started on the mechanics, let’s take a look at what we are trying to achieve. We have a data table that is exported from our…

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Create Dependent Drop-down Lists with Conditional Data Validation

By Jeff Lenning | February 7, 2014 |

This post explores macro-free methods for using Excel’s data validation feature to create an in-cell drop-down that displays choices depending on the value selected in a previous in-cell drop-down. Overview As with just about anything in Excel, there are several ways to achieve the goal. This post explores three such solutions, and if you have a…

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Custom Conditional Formatting Rules

By Jeff Lenning | July 11, 2013 |

Today, we will look at using conditional formatting with formulas, data validation, and comparison formulas.  Think you are up for it?  Let’s do this thing. Let’s say we have a worksheet that computes the payment of a loan.  We can use the PMT function to easily accomplish this task.  The PMT function requires three arguments…

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