Perform data validation from table on different worksheet in Excel 2007

Question

Is it true that in Excel 2007 you can't do list validation to a table on a different worksheet, only a named range that is not a table?

I enter a Source of =Responses and it keeps complaining "The formula you typed contains an error."

On the worksheet where the table is, I click into the table, go to the Design ribbon, and in Table Name it says Responses. If I open the Name Manager it says there is a named range called Responses that refers to the proper range. What gives?

Answer 1

Um... Yes and no.

It's true that you can't create a list-based data validation field based on a column from a table.

HOWEVER...

You can use Name Manager to define a named range, and use it to point to a column in a table.

EXAMPLE:

I have a workbook which tracks my fishing history. In this workbook, I have a table called "Fish", with a column called "Type".

In Name Manager, I can create a new named range called "FishList", and make it refer to "Fish[Type]".

I can then use my data validation list to point to "FishList"... and the Name Manager will redirect it to the appropriate column for my table.