Locking Drop Down Boxes In Excel

Right click the combo box you want to disable typing then click view code from the right clicking menu.

Locking drop down boxes in excel.

It s the day for tricks and treats so here is a useful trick that you can use with your drop down lists. Make sure to enter each drop down entry in a separate consecutive cell in the same column. You can also use the below vba code to prevent typing in a combo box in excel. Create drop down lists or menus in excel to limit the data that can be entered into a specific cell to a preset list of entries.

When you put a drop down box in a spreadsheet cell the cell displays an arrow. If the list of entries for your drop down list is on another worksheet and you want to prevent users from seeing it or making changes consider hiding and protecting that worksheet. You enter data by clicking the arrow and then selecting the desired entry. Enter the list of values for your drop down in a column.

Hi kay before selecting the protect sheet option in the review ribbon right click on your cell and select format cells. In the dialog box choose protection then untick the box that says lock. We ll block changes in excel drop down list cells and that could prevent your worksheet s data from turning into a nightmare. Protecting a cell but allowing drop down list to work.

Prevent or disable typing in a combo box by using vba code. Using a drop down list for data validation makes data entry easier prevents data entry errors and restricts the number of locations for entering data. Greatest horror films list to show how this trick works continue reading block changes in excel drop down list. The drop down list with check boxes utility of kutools for excel can help you easily create drop down list with checkboxes in a specified range current worksheet current workbook or all opened workbooks based on your needs.

Download the full feature 30 day free trail of kutools for excel now. If i a have a drop down list in my excel spreadsheet i e. Make sure that the design mode is turned on under developer tab. For example if you want your drop down list to include new york boston and los angeles you can type new york in cell a1 boston in cell a2 and los angeles in cell a3.

Created via data validation is there a way to lock the cell so that the user of the spreadsheet is forced to select an option from the dropdown list don t want the user to be able to override the list options by typing freeform in the cell. For example you might want to check to see if change the column width and row height to show all your entries.