Drop Down List (Report editing) not validating 00

KenR

Due to the lack of a Time Data Type I am using the Drop-Down field type for a preset selections of quarter hours (00, 15, 30, 45). The selection process on the form and sheet handles this 20th century work-around fine. However, when editing a row in the report I get the error, "This column is restricted to dropdown values." SS appears to be confusing text and numbers again. Unfortunately, editing from a report is critical for this project.

I've tried adding a colon to the choices (:00, :15, :30, :45), but this slows down data entry and visually the colon appears unnecessary. Without the colon, typing 0,1,3,4 places the selection conveniently at hand. With the semi-colon, it takes 2 hands and 3 keystrokes (shift+; and the number) - it's almost as slow as using the mouse to select a drop-down option.

Any ideas on how to work around this?

Project description: The User is entering beginning and ending times for jobs mostly through forms but some high-volume folks enter directly to the data sheet. A second step requires updates to be made from reports. Having a list of 96 choices for hours and minutes combined (7:00, 7:15, 7:30 etc) is not a good solution. I broke up the hours and minutes so now I have selections of 12 (hour options), 4 (minute options) and 2 (AM or PM). The radio buttons on the form allow the data entry for these 3 columns to go smoothly. Aside from data entry errors on AM & PM selections, the only hiccup is editing the minutes on the report.

Colleen Patterson

@KenR I have not heard of an issue where SS will auto reconfigure column types (a common issue in excel).

I would be happy to assist, if you would like to add in some screenshots (of your column configuration, or more information regarding your workflow.

KenR

Hi Colleen, I appreciate the help. One correction to my post - I'm using a drop-down field type, not text/number - I'll go back and correct this. Also, I don't think SS is reconfiguring column types rather it appears confused by "00" in the data validation - like one side of the validation sees text and the other a number.

Here's a few screen shots of the column configuration and error

SS screen shots Time Entry error.docx