Excel question

**Deafjeff** · 19-06-2010, 07:22 AM

Hi,

I will try and explain as clear as possible!

I am currently creating a case management toolkit using the excel where the staff can use list option to log each case as they arrive at our service.

However, I am aware that it is possible to 'hide' the list option in order for it to become a drop down menu.

Currently I have create the data list at the bottom and it look rather messy if you know what I mean?

I was told that you can create a data at the very top and use heading and title as a banner to 'hide' the listings is this true?

If so how do I do this?

**Tink** · 19-06-2010, 10:19 AM

Well, I was hoping I could help, but I don't think I can. I use Excel myself and am familiar with the cells that have a drop down menu function for the particular cell, but I've not created it on my own.

**josh.p.** · 19-06-2010, 10:39 AM

So, you want to turn a list of things into a drop down menu, but have them hidden from the users so that it doesn't look so messy?

I'd put the list of 'options' into a row on a different page/worksheet, and then hide that worksheet.

So, for example, on 'Worksheet 1' You would have "Option 1, Option 2, Option 3", then on 'Worksheet 2' you would have the drop-down box with all of those options.

Then, go to 'Worksheet 1' and click format> sheet> hide.

**Tink** · 19-06-2010, 10:41 AM

Will that then produce a cell with the drop down arrow, that once you click on it the selections can be seen (unrolled) and once you choose your selection it will be entered into the cell and the remaining (unused) options will return to being hidden?

(That's what I'm trying to do).

**josh.p.** · 19-06-2010, 11:21 AM

That will simply hide the input options.

Basically, when I did a drop-down menu, I had 5 options that I wanted to display.

I put them in an ordered list in a separate work sheet, and then so that it was neat and tidy, hid that worksheet and created the drop-down menu on a separate sheet.

To create the drop-down menu, I followed these instructions;
Microsoft Excel drop down list - Google Search

**Tink** · 19-06-2010, 11:23 AM

Thanks Josh. I keep telling myself I need to take a refresher course to keep up with the changes in Excel (the last update really made a mess out of my "stuff") but simply cannot squeeze the time out of my stupid schedule.

Hey! There's summer employment for you! Traveling Excel teacher!

**josh.p.** · 19-06-2010, 12:37 PM

My bags are packed, get the guest room ready

**Keith** · 19-06-2010, 04:49 PM

Not sure I'm completely with what you plan but I'll give it a shot...

To create the list dropdown (if you haven't already)

Select a cell where you want the dropdown to be
Go to DATA - Data validation - settings - ALLOW - choose LIST
Select your source cells for the list items (which will be at the bottom of your worksheet and visible at the moment)

click OK that should give you your drop down

Now to hide the list items down at the bottom
select the cells
right click - format cells
select NUMBER and in category CUSTOM
in the TYPE box ignore whats in there, delete it and type ;;; and click OK

The cells should now be hidden

**Britchick** · 19-06-2010, 04:55 PM

ok, can you solve my problem then?

i have a rota that i've put on excel.

it has 7 pages -one for each day of the week with times down the left side and names on the top. We then put the person recieving hte visit's name in the appropriate time slot. what i would like it to do is if i delete the person for it to be deleted at that time for the rest of the 7 days- can you do this? The admin support weren't recruited specifically for that role so look at me vacantly when i ask for this