Using Data validation

Another great feature of Excel is data validation its validate data controls the creation of input criteria for a cell or range of cells. It can prompt a user for correct information or can display an error message if the data entered does not match the criteria.

To specify the data validation settings, do this:

1. Select a cell or range of cells for which you want to validate.
2. Click Data menu and choose validation….. .
3. In the data validation dialog box, click the settings tab property sheet.
4. Select the type of data to be validated from the Allow drop-down list.
5. Select an operator for validation from the data: drop-down list.
6. Enter the appropriate values in Minimum and Maximum: collapsable box.

To Specify an input message, do this:

1. Click the input message tab in data validation dialog box after specifying the settings property sheet.
2. Click and select the Show input message when cell is selected.
3. In the Title box enter a title for the message it is displayed in bold in the message box.
4. In the Input message: box enter a message this message is displayed below the title. The length of the message is up to 255 characters long. Press enter to start a new text in the message.
5. Click OK to save your settings.

To specify an error alert, do this:

1. Click Data menu and choose Validation…. .
2. Click the Error Alert tab in the data validation dialog box after specifying your settings property sheet.
3. Click the Show error alert after invalid data entered, so that the check box is checked.
4. Select a Style: for the message from the drop-down list.
5. Enter a title for the message in the Title: box.
6. Enter the text for the error message in the Error message: box.
7. Click OK to save your settings.

For check the criteria you select for your data validation select a cell which is under validation and then check the input message is appeared or not then enter a wrong data in this cell and press enter if error message is appeared then you success and it means which criteria you select is working.

So friends keep practicing for data validation it is very important for future use.