Problem Solved: Dependent Drop Down Lists in Excel

In this video we answer a common problem people have when creating dependent drop down lists in Excel. And that problem is when your list items contain spaces.

To create these lists we need to set up named ranges. However named ranges do not allow the use of spaces in a name.

So how can we still use this technique? If the named range does not have a space, but the item on the worksheets does. This video shows you how.

Find more great free tutorials at;

*** Online Excel Courses ***

Connect with us!

[Gwytherinn]

I've read so many guides and watched so many videos about how to do this, and never could figure it out despite that. And after all that, I can't even believe how easy you just made it. I really thought it would take an act of god, and all this time it's been just that simple. Absolutely ridiculous. Thank you so much!!!!

[sandrabotelho]

YOU are so clear and helpful... tried so many videos.. none as clear as you thank you so much!

[krishnalawindz]

EXCELLENT, ITS WORKED. I WASTED 2 DAYS OF MY TIME FOR SEARCHING SOLUTION. FINALLY I GOT HERE. THANKS A LOT TO YOU SIR

[tomkochka]

This was brilliant! I was trying to figure this out literally all day. (I’m stubborn) I searched all over and you were the first presenter to identify this specific issue and how to fix it. THANK YOU!

[jessicaallen]

I have been struggling with this for 3 hours and finally found your explanation! Thank you for saving the remnants of my sanity!

[potatopancakehead]

I have been trying to do this for 3 hours now and your video somehow was the one (of 7 videos and many websites) that actually helped. Thank you very much!

[glennmclagan]

Your tutorials are absolutely perfect. So easy to follow. Thanks for posting mate.

[josephaloro]

@computergaga, thank you for providing the most needed solution to the problem at hand. However, I have tried it with items with very long sentences but still giving me errors. Any additional guidance and solution to this? Looking forward to hearing from you and thank you once more.

[jamescosier]

Hi, Do you have a video that allows you to do this "indirect" function on more than 1 column or data validation, please?

[marzhanshaimerdenova]

Thanks Sir, your video was really helpful!!! It resolved the issue that repeatedly checked/trying to resolve by different data analysts. I was trying to check different videos but your beat remaining. Thanks again

[pusha]

Thanx mate, was lookin to solve this problem for days. Thanx alot

[patrickschardt]

Another way to do this is use the create named range from selection tool. It replaces spaces and special characters that named ranges can't handle with an underscore.Then similarly to substituting the space with an empty string, substitute the space for the underscore.

[jurijtsalyy]

Dear Alan, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge! I've been trying to find a solution by myself, but finally I gave it up and started searching on the internet. Your explanation is the best ;)

[abbycao]

Finally found my solution to multiple text in the string on Internet

[Therongunner]

WOW!!! Saved my life! Thank you very much!!!

[goldylaxy]

simple but very effective, awesome work

[helenasvensson]

Fantastic functions and great tutorial! Thanks!!!

[jmed]

What do I do if it keeps giving me the error of "The list source must be a demimited list, or a reference to single row or column"

[piercedarby]

Hi could you help me with a problem on this

[AnonYmous-btvu]

Im trying to follow this. I still can't figure out the problem. I don't have spaces so i don't know what to do.