Data Validation without Drop Down List

Question

I'm wondering if it is at all possible to use Data Validation in Microsoft Excel (2007) without creating a Drop Down list.

I'm currently creating a seating plan for work. I want the user to have the ability to freely type in the name in a cell (Desk). There are 7 teams of approximately 10-12 people. so finding a name in a long list would take up too much time. however the name typed in the cell has to be be an exact match from a list stored else where in the spreadsheet. The reason for this is i use a formula to show if everyone has been seated or not.

if a name is typed in and its not an exact i would like for an error message to pop up.

Any ideas if this is even possible?

im open to VBA. but a complete noob when it comes to VBA.

Thanks in advance. Tom

Answer 1

To get DV without the drop-down, use the Custom > Formula option. Here is an example:

Only the set defined by the formula will be accepted and no drop-down will appear when the cell is clicked.