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Dropdown Menu Help!

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    Dropdown Menu Help!

    I have pulled together a lot of product information for various KVM products on the market. What I am trying to do is pull product information from the 'Data' tab, and have it displayed on the Product Comparison tab. The plan is to be able to compare up to four products on the product Comparison tab at any given time.

    I want to use a dropdown menu that will show each Part Number (on the Product Comparison tab), and when you click on that P/N #, it populates all of that parts data from Data tab. Example, if you click on F1DA104Z under Product 1, it will populates the Product Comparison tab with cells B2 through B65 from the Data tab. I need to do this for each P/N # on the Data tab (in total I have 338 I need to do this to).

    What is the best way to do this, and is it possible to have the dropdown of Part Numbers be categorized so they are easier to understand for others besides myself. An example of the dropdown structure I'd like to use is shown below. My plan would be that no data is shown if you click on the Company Name or Category from the dropdown menu *they are just placeholders*, but instead...data is only populated when the Part Number is selected.

    Company Name
    KVM Category
    Part Number 1
    Part Number 2
    etc. etc.

    Please let me know if there is any easier way to achieve this. I just need a push in the right direction, and I should be able to replicate it across all of the different Part Numbers.

    Thanks in advance!

    Data Example.xlsx

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    Valued Forum Contributor Melvinrobb's Avatar
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    Re: Dropdown Menu Help!

    assuming your part #s are on row 4 in the DATA sheet, the following formula should work (paste in c6 and drag down/across):
    Formula: copy to clipboard
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    Please click the * icon below if I have helped.

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    Re: Dropdown Menu Help!

    I think I understand your formula, but is there anyway to paste it into another location besides c6 on the DATA tab? Pasting it into c6 changes the data in that cell. Also, the formula is only covering C4 to I4 instead of extending to B4. Is it possible for me to change it to extend to B4 without messing up the formula you created? I assume so, but this is new to me.

    Also, how can I link this formula to a dropdown menu on the Product Comparison tab? I tried using data validation but I am doing something wrong, as I am unable to link the formula to a Part Number driven dropwdown menu on the Product Comparison tab.

    Thanks in advance!

  4. #4
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    Re: Dropdown Menu Help!

    You need to paste the formula in C6 of the PRODUCT COMPARISON Sheet. I thought that was where you wanted the info to be displayed.
    If that isn't what you want, then please clarify:
    1. what you want displayed
    2. Where you want it displayed.

    The attached file is to display the info for each product #. If you need assistance with creating the drop-down menus, there are numerous explanations online of how to create them.
    Attached Files Attached Files

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    Re: Dropdown Menu Help!

    Yes, I am trying to have it populate on the PRODUCT COMPARISON tab, I missunderstood your directions.

    However, I am trying to do all of this via dropdowns, instead of manually pasting the formula over. The issue I am having is how to link the cell data from the DATA tab (via a Part Number parent relationship) to a dropdown in the PRODUCT COMPARISON tab. I've looked online at creating the dropdown menus via data validation, but it is not pulling through the applicable cell data. That is really where I am struggling; how to link the cell data to the dropdown menu. I am creating this for my sales team, so it needs to be as easy as possible for them. Pasting over a formula won't be easy enough for them. ;(

  6. #6
    Valued Forum Contributor Melvinrobb's Avatar
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    Re: Dropdown Menu Help!

    There is no need to paste over the formula. What I had was complete, you simply needed to change cells C5:F5 to the part numbers and the list would change automatically.
    I created a drop down menu for you in cells C5:F5 of the PRODUCT COMPARISON sheet, using cells C4:I4 of the DATA sheet as the list source.
    Is the attached what you are wanting?
    Attached Files Attached Files

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    Re: Dropdown Menu Help!

    Wow, that's spot on. I also see how you linked the drop down menu to the list source. However, if the next set of part numbers begins on B69, how can I modify the data validation to include the next row of part numbers listed on B69?

    Also, is there a way to add more structure to the dropdown menu, so it reads easier than a bunch of part numbers? Is it possible to have the dropdown of Part Numbers be categorized so they are easier to understand for the sales people. An example of the dropdown structure I'd like to use is shown below. My plan would be that no data is shown if you click on the Company Name or Category from the dropdown menu *they are just placeholders*, but instead...data is only populated when the Part Number is selected.

    Company Name (example: Belkin)
    KVM Category (example: Analog KVM)
    Part Number 1
    Part Number 2
    etc. etc.

    Thanks again!
    Last edited by RaMubara; 01-02-2013 at 07:19 PM.

  8. #8
    Valued Forum Contributor Melvinrobb's Avatar
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    Re: Dropdown Menu Help!

    I'm not overly familiar with drop down menus. The questions you have are not unique to this scenario though, so if you search for online articles on "Drop-Down Menus in Excel", you should be able to get a better understanding of how they can be used effectively.

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    Re: Dropdown Menu Help!

    Thanks! I was able to figure it out by moving some data around to accomodate this need with the formulas supplied. Thanks again for your help!

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