Getting data from a cell into a comment or data validation text

**steve.g** · 09-21-2010, 11:56 AM

Hi,
I am designing a spreadsheet to calculate resistance and power from user input of voltage and current (a simple application of Ohm's Law).
When the user enters the voltage and current, the sheet displays the resistance needed as a single resistor, two resistors in series, two resistors in parallel, three in series and three in parallel. The spreadsheet then picks the closest value from two lists of 'preffered values'.
So far, so good. I now want to have a pop-up message appear either when the cell is selected, or when the mouse is over the cell, showing the actual current for the resistor from the preffered value list. I've made a table in a second sheet the calculates all the currents, but I cant find a way of getting those values into either a comment text, or a data validation text pop-up.
Any help gratefully recieved!!

**JBeaucaire** · 09-21-2010, 12:49 PM

You won't be able to formulaically get anything into a Comment Box or DV help popup window. Both of those would require VBA and may be more plumbing than you want to add for something simple like this.

I would recommend simply having those values appear in the cells next to the answers you're already getting showing this additional information for each option so it's all visible onscreen simply.

**steve.g** · 09-23-2010, 06:36 AM

Not what I wanted to hear

Should I repost this in the programming forum?
Thanks anyway

**royUK** · 09-23-2010, 06:59 AM

I'll move it there for you

**JBeaucaire** · 09-23-2010, 12:41 PM

Now that you're in with VBA, you'll need to provide a working example workbook. Don't dumb it down, if it's not your actual workbook, make it as close to the actual thing as possible.

Click GO ADVANCED and use the paperclip icon to post up your workbook.

**asha3010** · 09-24-2010, 02:56 AM

Not sure if this will help you.
Asha

**steve.g** · 09-24-2010, 03:50 AM

Hi Asha, there are some very interesting nuggets of information in that thread, thank you.
I'm still kicking some ideas around, so I'll post the workbook later.
Thanks to all

**steve.g** · 09-27-2010, 03:34 AM

Think I've sorted it. I still want to add a bit more functionality to it, i.e. using dissimilar values of resistor, and taking into account the tolerance of the resistor values (5 or 10%)