Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 30, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Ed asked if there was a way, using Word tables, to validate data that is added to cells. For instance, to limit the minimum and maximum characteristics of the data that could be entered in a cell.
The bad news, Ed, is that there is no easy way to accomplish such a feat solely using Word. Granted, a set of macros could be devised that would do some sort of validation, but they would not be easy, by any stretch of the imagination. Alternatively, you could set up a user form with input fields for each table cell. Then, you could apply validation code to what the user enters or selects in each input field. Even this approach, however, would be difficult to implement for all but the simplest tables.
Perhaps the easiest method of accomplishing data validation, however, is to simply use Excel. It has data validation routines quickly available to a user on a cell-by-cell basis. Then, the table data created in Excel can be pasted into (and linked to) a Word document.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1495) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Do More in Less Time! Are you ready to harness the full power of Word 2013 to create professional documents? In this comprehensive guide you'll learn the skills and techniques for efficiently building the documents you need for your professional and your personal life. Check out Word 2013 In Depth today!
If you've adjusted the height of your table and the rows within the table, you might want to later return all those rows ...
Discover MoreIf you get a document from a coworker that has tabs used to line up tabular information, you might want to change that ...
Discover MoreNeed to convert all the tables in your document into plain text? This tip provides a macro that can make quick work of a ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2017-02-21 16:09:35
Kristine
Is there a way to show a field in Word 2010 that allows values 0-999 up to 2 decimals. A drop down is too huge so I need an acceptable range. It has to be able to have a validation message if the number is outside the allowable range and decimals. I use data validation in excel, do not see in Word 2010. Once the data is entered, it does not get used anywhere only needs to be entered correctly by range and decimal.
Thanks.
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2023 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments