Can no longer enter new data into a cell that has a drop-down

[jryan3]

I have two spreadsheets. The first spreadsheet contains cells that use a drop-down list from the second spreadsheet. I was able to enter new data into the cell by either selecting an item from the drop-down list or I could type in new text that was not on the list. This all worked fine.
I sorted the second spreadsheet that contains the list. After that, I can now only enter data from the list into the cells on the first spreadsheet. I can nolonger type in new text that is not on the list.
How can I restore data validation on the first spreadsheet so that it will accept both entries from a list as well as new text that is not on the list?

 

[SkipVought]

Hi,

What is the Data Validation - List reference?

Please copy and paste here.

Skip,
[sub]
[red]A palindrome gone wrong?[/red]
A man, a plan, a ROOT canal...
PULLEMALL![/sub]

 

[jryan3]

The Data Validation - List Reference is

Validation criteria: Allow list
Source is =TheDocuments
where TheDocuments names the range
='Master Links.xls'!Documents

Master Links.xls is the second psreadhseet containing the list.

Joe

 

[SkipVought]

How was the range 'Master Links.xls'!Documents sorted BEFORE you sorted it?

How is it sorted now?

The Data/Validation - Allow List option, ONLY allows data in the list to be entered.

Skip,
[sub]
[red]A palindrome gone wrong?[/red]
A man, a plan, a ROOT canal...
PULLEMALL![/sub]

 

[jryan3]

Skip,
The range 'Master Links.xls'!Documents was not sorted previously. Now it is sorted alphabetically.
The Data/Validation was the same previously as it is now. Even though the allow list option was used previously it still allowed text not on the list to be entered.
I did an experiment and reverted back to using the unsorted version of the Master Link spreadsheet. Using this, I am again able to enter text that is not in the list.