Excel and comboboxs?

Question

I need help!! My boss wants me to make a form that has a combo box that allows him to pick an employees name. He wants another cell that when you pick the name will default with that employees number. I have tried combo boxs and am not doing something right. Please help. We have version 2003 and I am trying to use a template. Is that creating the problem?

Answer 1

First create a table of the employee name and employee numbers or if you can get a list with that, that would be easier. Highlight those two columns and Name them by going to insert / name / define. Name the table emp_nums and click add. Next, highlight just the column with the employee name, then insert / name / define. Call this emp_name. In a new sheet, label the columns with Employee Name, Employee Number, and whatever else your boss wants. Then right below that in the employee name column, click on the cell once and go up to data / validation. Under setting select LIST from combo box and under source type =emp_name and hit ok button. Copy that down as many rows as you need. In the next column at the first record, say its in cell B2, type in =VLOOKUP(A2,emp_nums,2,False) The 2 stand for looking up the second column in the table that you named earlier. Copy that formula down as well. Hope that helps.

Answer 2

I can't explain it better than this website does. I added it to my favorites. Check it out. It's much better than trying to add Control Toolbox combo boxes.

http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal02.html

The website uses data valadation just like the first person mentioned, but it uses a simpler formula that can be used for multiple categories. And the website also has plenty of pictures to help in the explanation.