Data Validation in Microsoft Excel allows users to control the type of data entered into the worksheet. It picks from a list of rules to limit the type of data that can be entered into a cell.

Figure A We’ll add a data validation control to this sheet. Click the Data tab, and then, click Data Validation in the Data Tools group. In the resulting dialog, choose List from the Allow dropdown.

Microsoft Excel supports two different dropdowns: Data Validation and a combo box control. For now, Data Validation is the only dropdown that is dynamic, so this tutorial won’t cover the combo ...

In this example, that would be E2:E51. Go to Data on the Ribbon, and in the Data Tools group, choose Data Validation. The Data Validation window that pops up allows you to set your criteria in many ...

Excel's checkboxes seem like a very simple feature on the surface—which is probably why they're often overlooked. But when used properly, this underrated feature can transform your spreadsheets into ...