Setting Data Validation Input Messages

Once you have defined a validation rule for the data in a cell, Excel allows you to easily define a message that should appear whenever the cell is selected. These messages are called input messages, and their purpose is to help the user understand what information they should enter in the cell. To enter a data validation input message, follow these steps:

1. Select the cell for which you want to define the messages.
2. Choose the Validation option from the Data menu. (In Excel 2007 display the Data tab of the ribbon and click the Data Validation tool in the Data Validation group.) Excel displays the Data Validation dialog box.
3. Set any data validation rules desired.
4. Click on the Input Message tab. (Click here to see a related figure.)
5. Enter a message in either field in the dialog box, as desired.
6. Click on the OK button.

Notice that Excel allows you to specify both a title and body for your data validation message. The only difference between the two is that the title appears on its own line and is shown in a bold typeface. You can define any message you desire. When you later select the cell, the data validation messages appear in their own message box near the selected cell.