Data Validation from another Workbook errors

Question

I am pretty new to creating a data validation from another workbook but I have read through a ton of articles and tutorials and still can't seem to get mine to work - help!? The two workbooks in question can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x0x01xwmtpv92aj/AAADgr3pPJCMsmGZo9wS1Lbba

I am trying to create a dropdown list in the Group Health Spreadsheet workbook from the MEDPLANS workbook. I have defined a name for the range that I want to include in my list from the MEDPLANS spreadsheet. The Range is A2 to A135 and I have named this range PlanListSource. In the Group Health Spreadsheet I tried to define a new List called PlanList and have it refer to:=[MEDPLANS.XLS]Database!PlanListSource

Excel seems to accept this and so I then move to the Data Validation step starting in Cell C4. In the Data Validation screen I select List in the "Allow" field and put the Source as:=PlanList

Again this seems to work fine as then I can view my list of data but if I click on a different cell and then come back to cell C4 I get a run-time error message (re: column width), then Excel shuts itself down and I am back to square 1. I put a copy of the error message in my dropbox file with the workbooks. I am just not sure where to go from here or how to fix this - help!

Answer 1

Sorry, just went to your dropbox link, it is there.

Answer 2

What is the error, could you please post the screenshot of the error? Thanks.

Answer 3

Just tried it, didn't work. Still getting the same error message and then Excel crashes and burns.

Hi,

I've used that method on may occasions and on it's own; if properly implemented, then the method wouldn't cause a workbook to crash and is the best method of doing what you want.

I suspect you have another issue with either the Excel application or the workbook.

I'm sorry but application issues are not something I know too much about. Someone else will be along to help you.

Answer 4

Just tried it, didn't work. Still getting the same error message and then Excel crashes and burns.

Answer 5

Hi,

Have a look here, Particularly the section Create a Dynamic Range from Another Workbook.

http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal05.html