Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 13, 2023)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Prakash would like to restrict input data in a cell such that it accepts only a maximum of 11 digits before the decimal point and, possibly, 2 digits after. The input can be either an integer or decimal value, but it can only have a maximum of 11 digits to the left of the decimal and 2 to the right. (Thus, 1234 or 1234.56 would be acceptable, but 1234.567 would not.) Prakash notes that Data Validation doesn't seem to work when you want to limit digits both before and after the decimal point.
Prakash is close to finding the answer, because Data Validation can actually be used. The trick is to create a custom formula that can be used for the validation. Here's a formula that will return either True or False, as is required for Data Validation:
=AND(A1=ROUND(A1,2),ABS(A1)<100000000000)
The formula tests two conditions using AND, with both conditions needing to be true. The first condition checks to make sure that no more than 2 digits are used to the right of the decimal point. The second condition compares the absolute value to make sure it is less than 12 digits. It checks against 12 digits so that a value such as 99999999999.99 is considered valid.
In order to use the formula in Data Validation, follow these steps:
Figure 1. The Data Validation dialog box.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (13643) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021.
Professional Development Guidance! Four world-class developers offer start-to-finish guidance for building powerful, robust, and secure applications with Excel. The authors show how to consistently make the right design decisions and make the most of Excel's powerful features. Check out Professional Excel Development today!
It is not unusual to use Excel to gather the answers to users' questions. If you want your users to answer your questions ...
Discover MoreIf you want to make sure that only unique values are entered in a particular column, you can use the data validation ...
Discover MoreWhen entering data in a worksheet, you may want to exercise some degree of control on the values that can be entered. ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments