Contents

# Criteria

Specify the validation rules for the selected cell(s).

To access this command...

#### From the menu bar:

Menu Data - Validity - Criteria tab.

#### From the tabbed interface:

On the Data menu of the Data tab, choose Validity - Criteria tab.

For example, you can define criteria such as: "Numbers between 1 and 10" or "Texts that are no more than 20 characters".

## Allow

Click a validation option for the selected cell(s).

The following conditions are available:

Condition | Effect
--- | ---
All values | No limitation.
Whole numbers | Only whole numbers corresponding to the condition.
Decimal | All numbers corresponding to the condition.
Date | All numbers corresponding to the condition. The entered values are formatted accordingly the next time the dialog is called up.
Time | All numbers corresponding to the condition. The entered values are formatted accordingly the next time the dialog is called up.
Cell range | Allow only values that are given in a cell range. The cell range can be specified explicitly, or as a named database range, or as a named range. The range may consist of one column or one row of cells. If you specify a range of columns and rows, only the first column is used.
List | Allow only values or strings specified in a list. Strings and values can be mixed. Numbers evaluate to their value, so if you enter the number 1 in the list, the entry 100% is also valid. Only up to 255 characters are saved when using an Excel format.
Text length | Entries whose length corresponds to the condition.
Custom | Only allow values that result in the formula entered in the Formula box to return TRUE, when the formula is calculated with the entered value. The formula can be any expression that evaluates to a boolean value of TRUE or FALSE, or returns a numerical value, where a nonzero value is interpreted as TRUE and 0 is interpreted as FALSE. Formulas can use relative referencing. For example, if cells A1:A4 were selected, the cursor is in cell A1 and ISODD(A1) is entered into the Formula box, then only odd numbers could be entered into cells A1 through A4. Only up to 255 characters are saved when using an Excel format.

## Allow blank cells

In conjunction with Tools - Detective - Mark invalid Data, this defines that blank cells are shown as invalid data (disabled) or not (enabled).

## Case Sensitive

Honor upper and lower case for Cell ranges, Lists and Custom values.

## Show selection list

Shows a list of all valid strings or values to select from. The list can also be opened by selecting the cell and pressing Option+Down Arrow Alt+Down Arrow.

### Sort entries ascending

Sorts the selection list in ascending order and filters duplicates from the list. If not checked, the order from the data source is taken.

## Source

Enter the cell range that contains the valid values or text.

## Entries

Enter the entries that will be valid values or text strings.

## Data

Select the comparative operator that you want to use. The available operators depend on what you selected in the Allow box. If you select "between" or "not between", the Minimum and Maximum input boxes appear. Otherwise, only the Minimum, the Maximum, or the Value input boxes appear.

## Value

Enter the value for the data validation option that you selected in the Allow box.

## Minimum

Enter the minimum value for the data validation option that you selected in the Allow box.

## Maximum

Enter the maximum value for the data validation option that you selected in the Allow box.

Related Topics

Validity

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