Data validation in Excel using named lists can improve your productivity substantially

How to implement data validation using named lists in Excel:

• Create a list of names on the Excel worksheet as shown below
• Select the list
• Now click on ‘Insert’ in the menu bar
• Select Name
• Select ‘Define Name..’
• In the ‘Define Name’ dialogue box under ‘Names in workbook’ define a name like ‘names’ for the list
• Then click on ‘Data’ in the menu bar
• Select ‘Validation…’
• In the ‘Data Validation’ Window under ‘Validation criteria’ and under ‘allow’ click on the drop-down arrow and select ‘list’.
• Under the source field write ‘=names’. This is the name you defined earlier for the range of selected Excel cells starting with ‘Tom’.
• Finish by clicking ‘OK’
• A drop-down arrow appears on the selected cells under the column heading ‘Name’
• Clicking on this arrow shows a list of names from which you can select
• This name then fills the cell
• Refer to the Excel training video (no voice)

Please note: Video has no sound

Further reading

Overview and samples of data validation

Prevent Duplicate Entries in Excel

Excel Data Validation — Introduction