Data validation rules in Google Sheets - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of data validation rules in Google Sheets?

Data validation rules help control what users can enter in a cell. They ensure data is correct and consistent by restricting input to specific types or values.

beginner

Name three common types of data validation rules you can set in Google Sheets.

1. List of items (dropdown)
2. Number restrictions (e.g., between, greater than)
3. Text length limits

beginner

How do you create a dropdown list using data validation in Google Sheets?

Select the cell(s), go to Data > Data validation, choose 'List of items', then enter the items separated by commas. This creates a dropdown menu for easy selection.

beginner

What happens if a user enters invalid data in a cell with data validation enabled?

Google Sheets shows a warning or rejects the input depending on the settings. You can choose to show a warning or prevent invalid data completely.

beginner

Can data validation rules be applied to multiple cells at once? How?

Yes. Select multiple cells or a range before setting the data validation rule. The rule will apply to all selected cells.

Which menu do you use to add data validation in Google Sheets?

A Insert

B Format

C Data

D Tools

Data validation is found under the Data menu in Google Sheets.

What type of data validation allows users to pick from a list of options?

A Number restriction

B List of items

C Checkbox

D Date restriction

List of items creates a dropdown list for users to select from.

If you want to prevent users from entering invalid data, what should you do?

A Allow all data

B Show warning

C Ignore validation

D Reject input

Choosing 'Reject input' stops users from entering invalid data.

Can data validation rules be applied to a whole column at once?

A Yes, by selecting the entire column

B No, only single cells

C Only to rows, not columns

D Only to cells with data

You can select an entire column and apply data validation to all its cells.

Which of these is NOT a valid data validation type in Google Sheets?

A Font color

B List from a range

C Text length

D Checkbox

Font color is a formatting option, not a data validation type.

Explain how to set up a data validation rule that only allows numbers between 1 and 100.

Think about restricting number ranges in the data validation menu.

Describe the difference between showing a warning and rejecting input in data validation.

Consider what happens when invalid data is entered.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Data validation rules in Google Sheets?

easy

A. To control what users can enter in cells to keep data clean

B. To automatically calculate sums and averages

C. To change the color of cells based on values

D. To create charts from data

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what data validation does

   Data validation sets rules that limit what users can type or select in cells.

2. Step 2: Compare options to the purpose

   Only To control what users can enter in cells to keep data clean describes controlling user input to keep data clean, which is the main goal.

3. Final Answer:

   To control what users can enter in cells to keep data clean -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Data validation = control input [OK]

Hint: Data validation controls input, not calculations or colors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing data validation with formulas
• Thinking it changes cell colors
• Assuming it creates charts

2. Which of these is the correct way to set a data validation rule for a cell to only allow numbers between 1 and 10?

easy

A. Select the cell, go to Data > Data validation, choose 'Number' and set 'between' 1 and 10

B. Type =IF(A1>0, "Valid", "Invalid") in the cell

C. Use conditional formatting to highlight numbers between 1 and 10

D. Enter a formula =AND(A1>=1, A1<=10) directly in the cell

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to set data validation

   Data validation rules are set via the Data menu, not by typing formulas in cells.

2. Step 2: Match the correct method

   Select the cell, go to Data > Data validation, choose 'Number' and set 'between' 1 and 10 correctly describes using Data > Data validation and setting number between 1 and 10.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the cell, go to Data > Data validation, choose 'Number' and set 'between' 1 and 10 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Data validation set via menu = Select the cell, go to Data > Data validation, choose 'Number' and set 'between' 1 and 10 [OK]

Hint: Set rules via Data menu, not by typing formulas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to type validation formulas in cells
• Confusing conditional formatting with validation
• Using formulas that only display text, not restrict input

3. You set a data validation rule on cell A1 to allow only dates after 2023-01-01. What happens if a user tries to enter '2022-12-31'?

medium

A. The entry is accepted without any warning

B. The cell automatically changes the date to 2023-01-02

C. Google Sheets shows an error and prevents the entry

D. The cell highlights the date but allows the entry

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand data validation behavior for invalid input

   When a user enters data that breaks the validation rule, Sheets shows an error and blocks the entry by default.

2. Step 2: Apply this to the date rule

   Since '2022-12-31' is before '2023-01-01', the entry is invalid and will be rejected with an error.

3. Final Answer:

   Google Sheets shows an error and prevents the entry -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Invalid input triggers error and blocks entry [OK]

Hint: Invalid input triggers error and blocks entry by default [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking invalid data is accepted silently
• Assuming automatic correction of invalid data
• Confusing highlighting with blocking input

4. You created a data validation rule to allow only text from a list: 'Apple', 'Banana', 'Cherry'. But users can still enter 'Orange'. What is the likely mistake?

medium

A. The list was entered as plain text in the cell, not as a range or list in validation

B. The validation rule was set to 'Show warning' instead of 'Reject input'

C. The cell was formatted as Number instead of Plain text

D. The sheet was not saved after setting the rule

Solution

1. Step 1: Check validation settings for handling invalid input

   Data validation can either reject invalid input or just show a warning but allow it.

2. Step 2: Identify why 'Orange' is accepted

   If 'Show warning' is selected, invalid entries like 'Orange' are allowed with a warning, explaining the issue.

3. Final Answer:

   The validation rule was set to 'Show warning' instead of 'Reject input' -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Show warning allows invalid input [OK]

Hint: Use 'Reject input' to block wrong entries, not just warn [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing warning with blocking input
• Not checking validation input handling option
• Assuming formatting controls validation

5. You want to create a data validation rule that allows users to select only weekdays (Monday to Friday) from a date picker in cell B2. Which custom formula should you use in the data validation rule?

hard

A. =OR(WEEKDAY(B2) = 1, WEEKDAY(B2) = 7)

B. =B2 >= DATE(2023,1,1)

C. =WEEKDAY(B2) > 5

D. =AND(WEEKDAY(B2) >= 2, WEEKDAY(B2) <= 6)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand WEEKDAY function output

   WEEKDAY returns 1 for Sunday, 2 for Monday, ..., 7 for Saturday.

2. Step 2: Identify weekdays range

   Weekdays are Monday (2) through Friday (6), so the formula must check if WEEKDAY is between 2 and 6.

3. Step 3: Match formula to condition

   =AND(WEEKDAY(B2) >= 2, WEEKDAY(B2) <= 6) uses =AND(WEEKDAY(B2) >= 2, WEEKDAY(B2) <= 6), which correctly allows only weekdays.

4. Final Answer:

   =AND(WEEKDAY(B2) >= 2, WEEKDAY(B2) <= 6) -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Weekdays = WEEKDAY 2 to 6 [OK]

Hint: WEEKDAY 2-6 means Monday to Friday [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong WEEKDAY numbers for weekdays
• Allowing weekends by mistake
• Not using AND to check range