Allow Free Form with Double Validation List

**maacmaac** · 03-09-2010, 12:43 PM

I have two columns I am using in a spreadsheet, which each have validation rules (columns I & J).

Column I = Industry
Column J = Occupation

The validation from column J is dependent on the validation in column I. For example, if user chooses "Airlines" as an industry, then the choices in column I (Occupation) would be "Air Controller, Pilot, Mechanic, etc."

One of the choices in column J is "Other". If the user makes the choice of "Other", then the user should be allowed to type into column I (Occupation) anything they want.

How can I update may validation tables to allow this? I have added example if needed. Thanks for any comments.

**NBVC** · 03-09-2010, 12:51 PM

In the Error Alert tab of the Data Validation window, you can uncheck the "Show error alert after invalid data is entered". This will allow users to enter what they want and also select from the list...

**maacmaac** · 03-09-2010, 01:16 PM

Thanks for the tip. One more question. Is there a way to have this type of validation only if "other" is choosen as industry type? If not, I will just leave as is. Thanks again.