Data Validation Issues with Linked Pictures in Excel 2013

[Dave STR]

Hello and happy St. Patrick's Day,

I apologize in advanced for the long post but I want to provide as much information as possible to help you help me. You may want to grab some caffeine for this one.

The Situation:
The attached workbook is a calculator tool that I want to use to populate details about a part my company will manufacture with dimensions to help our customers prepare the parts properly for our process. The first tab is the input and utilizes the cascading dynamic drop downs technique that I found here on Chandoo.

Based on the data entered/selected on the Input tab, the Print Out tab pulls the values and displays a specific picture depending on part configuration.

The Problem:
In Excel 2010, which is what I am using to build the workbook, the file works great. The issue is when other people in the company, using Excel 2013, try to use the file.

The user clicks on a cell with a data validation list, the drop down arrow flashes for an instant but they disappears. If you move the mouse cursor over to where the drop down arrow should be the cursor changes and if you click the drop down list appears.

This makes the calculator not very user friendly and honestly a bit annoying to use.

What I have Tried:
I first thought the file was broken so made the file from scratch again, same problem.

Next I tried building a file up to the data validation lists only, everything worked in 2010 and 2013. I added the picture links and boom, drop down arrow problem again.

Googled the issue and could only find relevant information from contextures about data validation bugs in 2013. The workaround provided was to click somewhere off the excel program and then click back and the arrow was visible, but when a different cell with data validation list was selected the problem happened again.

Tried making the file over again but with linked pictures displaying on a separate tab from the data validation lists. Still didn't work.

Next tried repairing the file, hoping that it was corrupted. No luck.

Tried updating the user's Office 2013, didn't fix the problem.

Does anyone have a solution to the invisible drop down arrows or a different method to achieve the same functionality?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advanced.

 

[Hui]

Are you saying these drop down's don't stay down?


Because they do in my version of Excel 2013?

 

[Dave STR]

No, when the user selects cell B8 the drop down arrow that extends off of the cell does not stay visible. The drop down arrow is visible for an instant and then disappears.

So the user doesn't see the button to make the drop down list appear.

Functionally the drop down button/arrow is still there because the user can move the cursor to where the button should be and the cursor changes from the typical excel "plus sign" to a north west arrow.

When users in 2013 at my work select B8 they don't see the drop down button for more than a second. Normally the drop down button should be visible as long as the cell with the data validation list is selected.

 

[bobhc]

Widen your B column.

.........And never use merged cells, you will as the worksheet expands with data find yourself in a whole heap of trouble.

 

[Dave STR]

I want to start with thank you Hui and bobhc for your help thus far.

Tested without merged cells and no change. Adjusted columns and still no fix.

I have attached a picture from one of the users to provide more information. If he clicks and holds the mouse button down when selecting for example cell B8, the button remains visible but if he releases or tries to click the button to get the drop down list, the button vanishes.

 

[Dave STR]

Update:
I tried remaking the file in excel 2013 to test if making the file in 2010 and using it in 2013 was causing a problem.

Built all the tables and data validation, everything was working. Inserted 1 of the pictures, everything still worked.

Then tried using the camera tool on the 1 image and the drop down arrows on the Input tab show for a second when the cell is selected but then go invisible like before.

However this time when I went to undo the camera tool the drop down arrows on Input behave normally again.

So now I know that something with creating linked pictures anywhere in the workbook causes this strange drop down button issue.

Still not sure how to fix the problem.

Is there another way to create an image that changes based on the part configuration selection and displays the image on the Print Out tab?

 

[Dave STR]

I have found a new solution to my problem.

I changed to using combo boxes in place of the data validation which avoids the initial problem.

Still don't have a solution to the problem directly but this workaround does the trick.

Thank you everyone who posted.