Hello,

I recently created an IF Statement in Data Validation which is working beautifully for two distinct lists. I was able to do so based on advice I read on here.

I currently have the need to have either a validated list or freeform based on the value of another field. I'm able to get it to work the way I want, but I still have a dropdown icon in the freeform scenario, and I'm concerned that will be confusing to users.

Here's how I have it setup:

I've created named Ranges that correspond to A1 and B1
C2 has a Data Validation that restricts it to =CriteriaList (named range)
D2 has the following formula in the validation= if(C2="Fruit",Fruits,D2), so the formula references itself, which allows me to put anything I want in there.

But I still get that dropdown option, even though there's nothing in it. Is there any way around that?

Here's the layout:

In the first example, the user chooses "Fruit". In the Second, they choose "Other".

First Example:
# A B C D
1 CriteriaList Fruits Favorite Food Type
2 Fruit Banana Fruit Choose either Banana or Apple
3 Other Apple
Second Example:
# A B C D
1 CriteriaList Fruits Favorite Food Type
2 Fruit Banana Other Enter Anything
3 Other Apple