Tom’s Tutorials For Excel: Validating Data Entry for xDivisible Number

Tom’s Tutorials For Excel: Validating Data Entry for xDivisible Number

Data Validation is an excellent way to control the entry of data in your worksheet to meet a certain condition. In this example, suppose you want to insure that numbers entered in the yellow cells are divisble by 5, as seen in the next picture. The following steps show how this can be done.

Step 1 of 5
Select the range of cells where you want your data entry validated.

Step 2 of 5
From your keyboard, press ALT+D+L to show the Data Validation dialog box.

Step 3 of 5
In the Data Validation dialog box:
• Click onto the Settings tab.
• Click the down arrow for the Allow field.
• In the list of allowable categories, select Custom.

Step 4 of 5
In the Formula field, enter the formula that is relative to your selected range.
In this example, that formula would be =MOD(B3,5)=0

Step 5 of 5
Still in the Data Validation dialog box:
• Click the Error Alert tab.
• Click to enter a checkmark in the box next to “Show error alert after invalid data is entered.”
• In the Style field, from the drop down list, select Stop.
• Enter the text for the Title of the error message you want to convey.
• Enter the text for the error message you want to convey.
• Click the OK button.

Note, this example validates numbers divisible by 5, but you can adjust the Data Validation formula to allow other divisible-worthy numbers. For example, if you want to only allow entry of numbers divisible by 3, your Data Validation formula would be =MOD(B3,3)=0.