Validation des données avec une formule de plus de 255 caractères
Raymond PENTIER Posted messages 58211 Registration date Status Contributor Last intervention -
Hello,
As the title suggests, I would like to perform data validation with a formula of more than 255 characters (multiple IFs).
Excel limits this to 255 characters, so I was thinking of putting my formula in a basic cell and linking the data validation to that cell. Unfortunately, I'm not able to achieve what I want...
Do you think this method would work?
If so, how? If not, do you have another solution in mind?
Thank you in advance and have a nice day!
5 answers
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Hello everyone,
For example, you can give names to your conditions and use them in your formula.
if(condition1; ;if(condition2; etc....
you can also create a correspondence table condition==>result and use vlookup()
in addition, use the filter function
anyway,
An EXCEL file (test or not), completed with exhaustive explanations and manually filled examples, uploaded to https://www.cjoint.com/, along with the version of Excel, would allow participants to respond more accurately to your question.
Regards-
Thank you for your response.
Here is the formula in question:
=IF(LEFT(G4,1)>"1",IF(AND(D3="ERMEE",F4=90),OFFSET(Plaque!$AX:$AX,1,0,COUNTA(Plaque!$AX1:$AX3)-2,1),IF(AND(D3="ERMEE",F4=80),OFFSET(Plaque!$AX:$AX,2,0,COUNTA(Plaque!$AX:$AX)-2,1),IF(G4="2H",OFFSET(Plaque!$E:$E,2,0,COUNTA(Plaque!$E:$E)-2,1),IF(OR(G4="3H",G4="4H"),OFFSET(Plaque!$I:$I,2,0,COUNTA(Plaque!$I:$I)-2,1),OFFSET(Plaque!A:A,1,0,COUNTA(Plaque!A:A)-2,1))))),"")My conditions are short and simple, I don't think I can save enough characters with this method.
I'm not sure I fully understand the second solution, but I will look into it.
I'm currently exploring another approach that might work: modifying my formula to get a range instead of an offset, and using an indirect.
Yes, I know that a file is much simpler for understanding questions and answering them, but to be honest, the file is too detailed to be clear and explained.
I thought my question was well explained, but apparently that's not the case! I probably should have made another file to illustrate ..
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Hello,
On this same forum, there is an example of a much longer formula in a single cell that works (I can’t remember the link), if you feel like looking for it, it’s about converting euros into words.
Excel limits the width of a column to 255 characters, the maximum number of characters in a cell to 32767, and the length of formulas to 8192 characters: this is therefore not the cause of your issues; however, excessively long file paths can indeed block saving.-
Thank you for the response.
In fact, my formula works perfectly in a "simple" cell. Excel just restricts the number of characters for the data validation formula.
And what is a data validation formula?
I have had similar issues sometimes, if that's what you mean, when copying a formula into a cell, no matter the length, after removing the initial equal sign to avoid moving cell references and adding it back: the formula remains literal and does not calculate, there's no other solution than to re-enter it manually.
I am talking about the formula that is normally located here.
The formula I wanted to enter is as follows:
=IF(LEFT(G4,1)>"1",IF(AND(D3="ERMEE",F4=90),OFFSET(Plaque!$AX:$AX,1,0,COUNTA(Plaque!$AX1:$AX3)-2,1),IF(AND(D3="ERMEE",F4=80),OFFSET(Plaque!$AX:$AX,2,0,COUNTA(Plaque!$AX:$AX)-2,1),IF(G4="2H",OFFSET(Plaque!$E:$E,2,0,COUNTA(Plaque!$E:$E)-2,1),IF(OR(G4="3H",G4="4H"),OFFSET(Plaque!$I:$I,2,0,COUNTA(Plaque!$I:$I)-2,1),OFFSET(Plaque!A:A,1,0,COUNTA(Plaque!A:A)-2,1))))),"")But it does not work because it exceeds 255 characters ..
For those facing the same problem, I have finally modified the process.
Old formula that I wanted to integrate into my data validation (but too long to be accepted):
=IF(LEFT(G4,1)>"1",IF(AND(D3="ERMEE",F4=90),OFFSET(Plaque!$AX:$AX,1,0,COUNTA(Plaque!$AX1:$AX3)-2,1),IF(AND(D3="ERMEE",F4=80),OFFSET(Plaque!$AX:$AX,2,0,COUNTA(Plaque!$AX:$AX)-2,1),IF(G4="2H",OFFSET(Plaque!$E:$E,2,0,COUNTA(Plaque!$E:$E)-2,1),IF(OR(G4="3H",G4="4H"),OFFSET(Plaque!$I:$I,2,0,COUNTA(Plaque!$I:$I)-2,1),OFFSET(Plaque!A:A,1,0,COUNTA(Plaque!A:A)-2,1))))),"")New equivalent formula (for me) to put in a cell on the sheet:
=IF(LEFT(G4,1)>"1",IF(AND(D3="ERMEE",F4=90),"Plaque!AX2:AX"&COUNTA(Plaque!AX1:AX1000),IF(AND(D3="ERMEE",F4=80),"Plaque!AX2:AX"&COUNTA(Plaque!AX1:AX1000),IF(G4="2H","Plaque!E2:E"&COUNTA(Plaque!E1:E1000),IF(OR(G4="3H",G4="4H"),"Plaque!I2:I"&COUNTA(Plaque!I1:I1000),"Plaque!A2:A"&COUNTA(Plaque!A1:A1000))))),"")This cell will thus display an area in text format (example: Plaque!A2:A28)
Simply link the data validation to this cell (L28 in my case) with an indirect:
=INDIRECT(L28)Have a nice day!
Hello.
Excel limits to 255 characters, so I thought I would put my formula in a basic cell and link the data validation to that cell. Unfortunately, I can't seem to achieve my goal...
Do you think this method would work?
If yes, how? If not, do you have another solution in mind?
No! No chance!
As my friend DjiDji, whom I greet here, pointed out, we would need to try a completely different approach...
And as is repeated 20 times a week in our discussions on CCM, you must always attach an example file so that the explanation of the problem is properly illustrated, that tests can be carried out, and that an exact and finalized formula can be proposed.
In the meantime, you can start by drastically reducing the number of characters for defined names (Name Manager) and for the names of sheets (Tabs).
Your sheet {AB - MTL REGION} could be effectively renamed {MTLREGION} that is 9 characters instead of 15!
And your range "Final cost price" will be just as effective if you rename it "Cost", which is 7 instead of 21...
Here's a concrete example, recently addressed in this forum:
https://forums.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-37674193-comprehension-formules-imbriquees#2
Retirement is great! Especially in the Caribbean...
Raymond (INSA, AFPA)-
Hello,
Thank you for your response.
I confirm that the data validation formula is limited to 255 characters. Try it, you might be surprised! (unless a version issue is at play! I am on an xlsm file version 2207 Build 15427.20210 Click to run).
Indeed, I probably should have made another file to illustrate the problem, I will take the time to do so next time.
And finally, thank you for this solution. It is indeed a solution I found on other forums, but it did not suit me... The ranges come from an external Excel file, so the data can evolve and the names would need to be modified each time.
I had actually used this method on a previous version of my file, with a macro allowing automatic name updates, but it quickly became a nightmare. That's why I went back to using OFFSET.
Surprised? Not at all: I know perfectly well that 255 is a structural limit of the software, and my advice was precisely aimed at keeping your formula within those size limits.
When I recorded my response at 5:11 PM, which I had started drafting around 4:26 PM, I was not aware of messages 2 to 7 ...
I hope you were able to glean effective insights from all these exchanges to solve your problem.
Retirement is great! Especially in the Caribbean...
Raymond (INSA, AFPA)
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