💬Custom Error Messages in Excel Data Validation
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Takeaways
This video discusses how to enhance the user experience of an Excel spreadsheet using customizable data validation features. The video demonstrates two key techniques: creating input messages that provide users with a hint before they enter data, and designing custom error alerts with specific messages and styles when invalid data is entered. These methods aim to make spreadsheets more user-friendly by offering clear guidance and feedback.
Custom Excel User Experience Study Guide
Quiz
What is the default error message displayed in Excel when data validation fails?
What are the two main types of custom messages discussed in the source material that improve user experience?
How do you access the Data Validation settings in Excel?
What is the purpose of the "Input Message" feature in Data Validation?
What information is displayed in the "Input Message" box?
What is the purpose of the "Error Alert" feature in Data Validation?
What are the three styles of error message boxes mentioned in the source?
What are the buttons displayed in a "Stop" style error message box?
What are the buttons displayed in an "Information" style error message box?
What happens if you do not provide a title for a custom error alert?
Quiz Answer Key
The default error message is "The value is not valid."
The two main types are the input message (tool tip) and the custom error alert message.
You access Data Validation by selecting the cell(s) or column(s) and then going to the Data tab and clicking on Data Validation.
The purpose of the Input Message is to provide a helpful hint or instruction to the user before they start typing in the cell.
The Input Message box displays a title (optional) and the input message text.
The purpose of the Error Alert is to display a custom message to the user after they have entered invalid data.
The three styles are Stop, Information, and Warning.
A "Stop" style error message box displays "Retry" and "Cancel" buttons.
An "Information" style error message box displays an "OK" button.
If you do not provide a title for a custom error alert, the title will default to "Microsoft Excel".
Glossary of Key Terms
Data Validation: An Excel feature that restricts the type or range of data that users can enter into a cell, helping to ensure data accuracy and consistency.
Error Box: A message box that appears in Excel when a user attempts to enter data that does not meet the data validation criteria.
Input Message: A feature within Excel's Data Validation that displays a "tool tip" message when a user selects a specific cell, providing guidance or information before data entry.
Tool Tip Box: Another term for the Input Message box, which pops up and provides a hint to the user.
Input Message Title: Optional bold text displayed at the top of the Input Message box.
Input Message Text: The main body of the message displayed in the Input Message box, providing instructions or hints.
Error Alert: A feature within Excel's Data Validation that displays a custom message to the user after they have entered invalid data.
Error Alert Style: The visual appearance and available buttons of the error message box. The styles mentioned are Stop, Information, and Warning.
Stop Style: An error alert style that prevents the user from entering the invalid data and offers "Retry" and "Cancel" options.
Information Style: An error alert style that provides information about the invalid data and has an "OK" button.
Warning Style: An error alert style that provides a warning about the invalid data.
Error Alert Title: Optional text displayed at the top of the custom error alert message box.
Error Message: The custom text displayed within the Error Alert box, explaining why the data is invalid or providing instructions.
Retry Button: A button in the Stop style error box that allows the user to attempt to enter data again.
Cancel Button: A button in the Stop style error box that allows the user to disregard the invalid entry.
OK Button: A button in the Information style error box that acknowledges the message.
