Why does the dropdown button in Excel data validation disappear?
I am creating a dashboard in Excel in which I want to restrict the input to a specific list. I used data validation to do so which works perfectly fine. However, normally the little drop-down button is visible when I select a cell (it is in any other workbook), but in my dashboard it keeps disappearing. Here is a small gif of the problem.
Why won't the button stay visible?
Extra info: In the dashboard, I make use of VBA code and OpenSolver. Could they play a part in any of this?
microsoft-excel microsoft-excel-2016 data-validation list
asked May 4 '17 at 7:40
Robin Kramer
1036
|
show 1 more comment
I am creating a dashboard in Excel in which I want to restrict the input to a specific list. I used data validation to do so which works perfectly fine. However, normally the little drop-down button is visible when I select a cell (it is in any other workbook), but in my dashboard it keeps disappearing. Here is a small gif of the problem.
Why won't the button stay visible?
Extra info: In the dashboard, I make use of VBA code and OpenSolver. Could they play a part in any of this?
microsoft-excel microsoft-excel-2016 data-validation list
asked May 4 '17 at 7:40
Robin Kramer
1036
When you make the list in Data Validation, there is an option to show the little drop down arrow. Is it checked?
– Vylix
May 4 '17 at 9:32
Yes it is indeed
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 9:36
Have you tried opening the affected file on other computer? Or try making a simple drop down list in a new blank file, and see if it behaves the same. If both gives the proper behavior, then yes, it might have to be something with your VBA.
– Vylix
May 4 '17 at 9:39
In other files it does work. Another computer had the same issue indeed. Spitting through the VBA code will be one heck of a job. Would not know where to start. Thanks for the help anyways :)
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 9:42
1
@Ferenth It sounds similar, but i don't have freeze panes. Also scrolling seems to play no part in it. The buttons are hidden all the time (after brief flashes).
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 18:35
|
show 1 more comment
I am creating a dashboard in Excel in which I want to restrict the input to a specific list. I used data validation to do so which works perfectly fine. However, normally the little drop-down button is visible when I select a cell (it is in any other workbook), but in my dashboard it keeps disappearing. Here is a small gif of the problem.
Why won't the button stay visible?
Extra info: In the dashboard, I make use of VBA code and OpenSolver. Could they play a part in any of this?
microsoft-excel microsoft-excel-2016 data-validation list
asked May 4 '17 at 7:40
Robin Kramer
1036
I am creating a dashboard in Excel in which I want to restrict the input to a specific list. I used data validation to do so which works perfectly fine. However, normally the little drop-down button is visible when I select a cell (it is in any other workbook), but in my dashboard it keeps disappearing. Here is a small gif of the problem.
Why won't the button stay visible?
Extra info: In the dashboard, I make use of VBA code and OpenSolver. Could they play a part in any of this?
microsoft-excel microsoft-excel-2016 data-validation list
microsoft-excel microsoft-excel-2016 data-validation list
asked May 4 '17 at 7:40
Robin Kramer
1036
asked May 4 '17 at 7:40
Robin Kramer
1036
asked May 4 '17 at 7:40
Robin Kramer
1036
asked May 4 '17 at 7:40
Robin Kramer
1036
asked May 4 '17 at 7:40
Robin Kramer
1036
1036
When you make the list in Data Validation, there is an option to show the little drop down arrow. Is it checked?
– Vylix
May 4 '17 at 9:32
Yes it is indeed
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 9:36
Have you tried opening the affected file on other computer? Or try making a simple drop down list in a new blank file, and see if it behaves the same. If both gives the proper behavior, then yes, it might have to be something with your VBA.
– Vylix
May 4 '17 at 9:39
In other files it does work. Another computer had the same issue indeed. Spitting through the VBA code will be one heck of a job. Would not know where to start. Thanks for the help anyways :)
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 9:42
1
@Ferenth It sounds similar, but i don't have freeze panes. Also scrolling seems to play no part in it. The buttons are hidden all the time (after brief flashes).
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 18:35
|
show 1 more comment
When you make the list in Data Validation, there is an option to show the little drop down arrow. Is it checked?
– Vylix
May 4 '17 at 9:32
Yes it is indeed
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 9:36
Have you tried opening the affected file on other computer? Or try making a simple drop down list in a new blank file, and see if it behaves the same. If both gives the proper behavior, then yes, it might have to be something with your VBA.
– Vylix
May 4 '17 at 9:39
In other files it does work. Another computer had the same issue indeed. Spitting through the VBA code will be one heck of a job. Would not know where to start. Thanks for the help anyways :)
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 9:42
1
@Ferenth It sounds similar, but i don't have freeze panes. Also scrolling seems to play no part in it. The buttons are hidden all the time (after brief flashes).
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 18:35
When you make the list in Data Validation, there is an option to show the little drop down arrow. Is it checked?
– Vylix
May 4 '17 at 9:32
When you make the list in Data Validation, there is an option to show the little drop down arrow. Is it checked?
– Vylix
May 4 '17 at 9:32
Yes it is indeed
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 9:36
Yes it is indeed
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 9:36
Have you tried opening the affected file on other computer? Or try making a simple drop down list in a new blank file, and see if it behaves the same. If both gives the proper behavior, then yes, it might have to be something with your VBA.
– Vylix
May 4 '17 at 9:39
Have you tried opening the affected file on other computer? Or try making a simple drop down list in a new blank file, and see if it behaves the same. If both gives the proper behavior, then yes, it might have to be something with your VBA.
– Vylix
May 4 '17 at 9:39
In other files it does work. Another computer had the same issue indeed. Spitting through the VBA code will be one heck of a job. Would not know where to start. Thanks for the help anyways :)
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 9:42
In other files it does work. Another computer had the same issue indeed. Spitting through the VBA code will be one heck of a job. Would not know where to start. Thanks for the help anyways :)
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 9:42
1
1
@Ferenth It sounds similar, but i don't have freeze panes. Also scrolling seems to play no part in it. The buttons are hidden all the time (after brief flashes).
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 18:35
@Ferenth It sounds similar, but i don't have freeze panes. Also scrolling seems to play no part in it. The buttons are hidden all the time (after brief flashes).
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 18:35
|
show 1 more comment
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
This appears to be a bug in some versions of excel.
If you used the camera tool, then if the input cells of the camera tool object (the linked cells) are on a different worksheet as the data validation dropdown enabled cells, the dropdown arrows go missing.
They aren't actually gone, however:
- You can still access the dropdown if you select the dropdown enabled cell and move the cursor to the right where the arrow would normally appear and click. It works, but it's annoying and makes it difficult for other users if the worksheet is intended for users other than yourself.
- You can also click on the dropdown enabled cell and hit Alt-Downarrow, and the list will appear. Again this may not be ideal or obvious for other users.
Potential Fixes:
- You could remove the camera tool object and everything should work fine.
- If the input cells of the camera tool object (the linked cells) are on the same worksheet as the data validation dropdown enabled cells, the problem doesn't exist. Thus, you could move the linked cells that the camera tool is referencing to the same sheet with the dropwdown enabled cells.
BEST SOLUTION THAT REQUIRES NO MAJOR CHANGES: A strange solution that seems to work (for an unknown reason) is if you create a combo box (form control) and set the cell link and input range to =$1:$1048576 (this references all cells) on one of the sheets affected by the flashing arrows. This should stop the arrows from flashing/disappearing on the page with the combo box as well as all arrows in the whole workbook. You can put it in some obscure location on the sheet so it isn't visible to the user.
answered Dec 14 at 21:44
NicChik
262
add a comment |
I've just had the same disappearing drop-down button behaviour shown in your gif. It might be there are other things that cause this behaviour as well but in my case it was caused by using the camera tool.
Deleting the camera image restored the normal drop-down button visibility. Creating a camera image anywhere in the workbook caused all drop-down buttons to act shy again.
answered Sep 25 at 10:25
Geest
111
Welcome to Superuser, i do believe that your answer needs proper illustration to solve the issue. Since you are unable to address the OP so please edit the post to compose a useful answer. you may refer this link also,, superuser.com/help/how-to-answer.
– Rajesh S
Sep 25 at 10:41
Hi, you might be right. I indeed also used the camera tool. I could not have guessed that would be the problem. If you could add a little illustration as suggested by Rajesh I am happy to accept your answer :)
– Robin Kramer
Sep 25 at 12:43
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
This appears to be a bug in some versions of excel.
If you used the camera tool, then if the input cells of the camera tool object (the linked cells) are on a different worksheet as the data validation dropdown enabled cells, the dropdown arrows go missing.
They aren't actually gone, however:
- You can still access the dropdown if you select the dropdown enabled cell and move the cursor to the right where the arrow would normally appear and click. It works, but it's annoying and makes it difficult for other users if the worksheet is intended for users other than yourself.
- You can also click on the dropdown enabled cell and hit Alt-Downarrow, and the list will appear. Again this may not be ideal or obvious for other users.
Potential Fixes:
- You could remove the camera tool object and everything should work fine.
- If the input cells of the camera tool object (the linked cells) are on the same worksheet as the data validation dropdown enabled cells, the problem doesn't exist. Thus, you could move the linked cells that the camera tool is referencing to the same sheet with the dropwdown enabled cells.
BEST SOLUTION THAT REQUIRES NO MAJOR CHANGES: A strange solution that seems to work (for an unknown reason) is if you create a combo box (form control) and set the cell link and input range to =$1:$1048576 (this references all cells) on one of the sheets affected by the flashing arrows. This should stop the arrows from flashing/disappearing on the page with the combo box as well as all arrows in the whole workbook. You can put it in some obscure location on the sheet so it isn't visible to the user.
answered Dec 14 at 21:44
NicChik
262
add a comment |
This appears to be a bug in some versions of excel.
If you used the camera tool, then if the input cells of the camera tool object (the linked cells) are on a different worksheet as the data validation dropdown enabled cells, the dropdown arrows go missing.
They aren't actually gone, however:
- You can still access the dropdown if you select the dropdown enabled cell and move the cursor to the right where the arrow would normally appear and click. It works, but it's annoying and makes it difficult for other users if the worksheet is intended for users other than yourself.
- You can also click on the dropdown enabled cell and hit Alt-Downarrow, and the list will appear. Again this may not be ideal or obvious for other users.
Potential Fixes:
- You could remove the camera tool object and everything should work fine.
- If the input cells of the camera tool object (the linked cells) are on the same worksheet as the data validation dropdown enabled cells, the problem doesn't exist. Thus, you could move the linked cells that the camera tool is referencing to the same sheet with the dropwdown enabled cells.
BEST SOLUTION THAT REQUIRES NO MAJOR CHANGES: A strange solution that seems to work (for an unknown reason) is if you create a combo box (form control) and set the cell link and input range to =$1:$1048576 (this references all cells) on one of the sheets affected by the flashing arrows. This should stop the arrows from flashing/disappearing on the page with the combo box as well as all arrows in the whole workbook. You can put it in some obscure location on the sheet so it isn't visible to the user.
answered Dec 14 at 21:44
NicChik
262
add a comment |
This appears to be a bug in some versions of excel.
If you used the camera tool, then if the input cells of the camera tool object (the linked cells) are on a different worksheet as the data validation dropdown enabled cells, the dropdown arrows go missing.
They aren't actually gone, however:
- You can still access the dropdown if you select the dropdown enabled cell and move the cursor to the right where the arrow would normally appear and click. It works, but it's annoying and makes it difficult for other users if the worksheet is intended for users other than yourself.
- You can also click on the dropdown enabled cell and hit Alt-Downarrow, and the list will appear. Again this may not be ideal or obvious for other users.
Potential Fixes:
- You could remove the camera tool object and everything should work fine.
- If the input cells of the camera tool object (the linked cells) are on the same worksheet as the data validation dropdown enabled cells, the problem doesn't exist. Thus, you could move the linked cells that the camera tool is referencing to the same sheet with the dropwdown enabled cells.
BEST SOLUTION THAT REQUIRES NO MAJOR CHANGES: A strange solution that seems to work (for an unknown reason) is if you create a combo box (form control) and set the cell link and input range to =$1:$1048576 (this references all cells) on one of the sheets affected by the flashing arrows. This should stop the arrows from flashing/disappearing on the page with the combo box as well as all arrows in the whole workbook. You can put it in some obscure location on the sheet so it isn't visible to the user.
answered Dec 14 at 21:44
NicChik
262
This appears to be a bug in some versions of excel.
If you used the camera tool, then if the input cells of the camera tool object (the linked cells) are on a different worksheet as the data validation dropdown enabled cells, the dropdown arrows go missing.
They aren't actually gone, however:
- You can still access the dropdown if you select the dropdown enabled cell and move the cursor to the right where the arrow would normally appear and click. It works, but it's annoying and makes it difficult for other users if the worksheet is intended for users other than yourself.
- You can also click on the dropdown enabled cell and hit Alt-Downarrow, and the list will appear. Again this may not be ideal or obvious for other users.
Potential Fixes:
- You could remove the camera tool object and everything should work fine.
- If the input cells of the camera tool object (the linked cells) are on the same worksheet as the data validation dropdown enabled cells, the problem doesn't exist. Thus, you could move the linked cells that the camera tool is referencing to the same sheet with the dropwdown enabled cells.
BEST SOLUTION THAT REQUIRES NO MAJOR CHANGES: A strange solution that seems to work (for an unknown reason) is if you create a combo box (form control) and set the cell link and input range to =$1:$1048576 (this references all cells) on one of the sheets affected by the flashing arrows. This should stop the arrows from flashing/disappearing on the page with the combo box as well as all arrows in the whole workbook. You can put it in some obscure location on the sheet so it isn't visible to the user.
answered Dec 14 at 21:44
NicChik
262
answered Dec 14 at 21:44
NicChik
262
answered Dec 14 at 21:44
NicChik
262
answered Dec 14 at 21:44
NicChik
262
262
add a comment |
add a comment |
I've just had the same disappearing drop-down button behaviour shown in your gif. It might be there are other things that cause this behaviour as well but in my case it was caused by using the camera tool.
Deleting the camera image restored the normal drop-down button visibility. Creating a camera image anywhere in the workbook caused all drop-down buttons to act shy again.
answered Sep 25 at 10:25
Geest
111
Welcome to Superuser, i do believe that your answer needs proper illustration to solve the issue. Since you are unable to address the OP so please edit the post to compose a useful answer. you may refer this link also,, superuser.com/help/how-to-answer.
– Rajesh S
Sep 25 at 10:41
Hi, you might be right. I indeed also used the camera tool. I could not have guessed that would be the problem. If you could add a little illustration as suggested by Rajesh I am happy to accept your answer :)
– Robin Kramer
Sep 25 at 12:43
add a comment |
I've just had the same disappearing drop-down button behaviour shown in your gif. It might be there are other things that cause this behaviour as well but in my case it was caused by using the camera tool.
Deleting the camera image restored the normal drop-down button visibility. Creating a camera image anywhere in the workbook caused all drop-down buttons to act shy again.
answered Sep 25 at 10:25
Geest
111
Welcome to Superuser, i do believe that your answer needs proper illustration to solve the issue. Since you are unable to address the OP so please edit the post to compose a useful answer. you may refer this link also,, superuser.com/help/how-to-answer.
– Rajesh S
Sep 25 at 10:41
Hi, you might be right. I indeed also used the camera tool. I could not have guessed that would be the problem. If you could add a little illustration as suggested by Rajesh I am happy to accept your answer :)
– Robin Kramer
Sep 25 at 12:43
add a comment |
I've just had the same disappearing drop-down button behaviour shown in your gif. It might be there are other things that cause this behaviour as well but in my case it was caused by using the camera tool.
Deleting the camera image restored the normal drop-down button visibility. Creating a camera image anywhere in the workbook caused all drop-down buttons to act shy again.
answered Sep 25 at 10:25
Geest
111
I've just had the same disappearing drop-down button behaviour shown in your gif. It might be there are other things that cause this behaviour as well but in my case it was caused by using the camera tool.
Deleting the camera image restored the normal drop-down button visibility. Creating a camera image anywhere in the workbook caused all drop-down buttons to act shy again.
answered Sep 25 at 10:25
Geest
111
answered Sep 25 at 10:25
Geest
111
answered Sep 25 at 10:25
Geest
111
answered Sep 25 at 10:25
Geest
111
111
Welcome to Superuser, i do believe that your answer needs proper illustration to solve the issue. Since you are unable to address the OP so please edit the post to compose a useful answer. you may refer this link also,, superuser.com/help/how-to-answer.
– Rajesh S
Sep 25 at 10:41
Hi, you might be right. I indeed also used the camera tool. I could not have guessed that would be the problem. If you could add a little illustration as suggested by Rajesh I am happy to accept your answer :)
– Robin Kramer
Sep 25 at 12:43
add a comment |
Welcome to Superuser, i do believe that your answer needs proper illustration to solve the issue. Since you are unable to address the OP so please edit the post to compose a useful answer. you may refer this link also,, superuser.com/help/how-to-answer.
– Rajesh S
Sep 25 at 10:41
Hi, you might be right. I indeed also used the camera tool. I could not have guessed that would be the problem. If you could add a little illustration as suggested by Rajesh I am happy to accept your answer :)
– Robin Kramer
Sep 25 at 12:43
Welcome to Superuser, i do believe that your answer needs proper illustration to solve the issue. Since you are unable to address the OP so please edit the post to compose a useful answer. you may refer this link also,, superuser.com/help/how-to-answer.
– Rajesh S
Sep 25 at 10:41
Welcome to Superuser, i do believe that your answer needs proper illustration to solve the issue. Since you are unable to address the OP so please edit the post to compose a useful answer. you may refer this link also,, superuser.com/help/how-to-answer.
– Rajesh S
Sep 25 at 10:41
Hi, you might be right. I indeed also used the camera tool. I could not have guessed that would be the problem. If you could add a little illustration as suggested by Rajesh I am happy to accept your answer :)
– Robin Kramer
Sep 25 at 12:43
Hi, you might be right. I indeed also used the camera tool. I could not have guessed that would be the problem. If you could add a little illustration as suggested by Rajesh I am happy to accept your answer :)
– Robin Kramer
Sep 25 at 12:43
add a comment |
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When you make the list in Data Validation, there is an option to show the little drop down arrow. Is it checked?
– Vylix
May 4 '17 at 9:32
Yes it is indeed
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 9:36
Have you tried opening the affected file on other computer? Or try making a simple drop down list in a new blank file, and see if it behaves the same. If both gives the proper behavior, then yes, it might have to be something with your VBA.
– Vylix
May 4 '17 at 9:39
In other files it does work. Another computer had the same issue indeed. Spitting through the VBA code will be one heck of a job. Would not know where to start. Thanks for the help anyways :)
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 9:42
1
@Ferenth It sounds similar, but i don't have freeze panes. Also scrolling seems to play no part in it. The buttons are hidden all the time (after brief flashes).
– Robin Kramer
May 4 '17 at 18:35