How to Create Drop-Down Forms in OpenOffice
Drop-down forms provide an easier-to-use spreadsheet interface and ensure that the proper data is entered into a field. This can increase the reliability of your data as well as decrease the time it takes to populate data. Drop-down forms in OpenOffice.org Calc operate the same and are created in a similar manner to Microsoft Excel. The drop-down forms have many options, such as error message displayed, number of entries in the drop-down list and sorting the data in the drop-down form. Creating a drop-down form in OpenOffice.org Calc is an easy process.
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Instructions
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Start OpenOffice.org Calc by clicking the Start button, select “All Programs” and then “OpenOffice.org Calc.”
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Open or create your document and select the cell in which you wish to place a drop-down list by clicking on it.
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Click “Data” in the toolbar at the top of the window, then select “Validity.”
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Click the “Criteria” tab and select “List” in the “Allow” field to enable a drop-down form for the selected cell. Place a check mark in the box to the left of “Show selection list” to make the drop-down list visible on the spreadsheet.
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Put a check mark in the box to the left of “Sort entries ascending” in the “Validity” window. This will list all options for the drop-down list in alphabetical and numerical order.
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Enter the options users can choose from in the drop-down form in the “Entries” text box, entering one item per line. Once all necessary options have been entered, click “OK.”
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Select the “Error Alert” tab at the top of the “Validity” window and place a check mark in the box to the left of “Show error message when invalid values are entered.” Select “Stop” in the “Action” field, then enter a title for the error window users would see when trying to enter their own data into the cell instead of using the drop-down form and enter a message in the “Error message” window that will notify the user that they must select an option from the drop-down form.
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Tips & Warnings
If you wish to include a blank cell as an option in the drop-down form, put a check mark in the box to the left of “Allow blank cells” on the “Validity” window.
