What you will build
Complete “Use data validation for clean entry” using the visible Task, Status sample so each action and the final state can be checked against the source data.
Learning objectives
Open the practice workbook
Practice in your own copy
Make your own Google Sheets copy with the same data, formulas, formatting, filter and frozen header. The original remains unchanged.
Sign in to Google. If the original is not publicly shared, download the full workbook and import it into Google Sheets, or paste the example data into your own sheet.
Hands-on practice
Step 1: Select B2:B4 only; leave the Status header in B1 outside the validation range.
Step 2: Open Data > Data validation. In Data validation rules, click Add rule. Confirm Apply to range is Example!B2:B4, Criteria is Dropdown, and the allowed options are Done, Planned, and Working; then click Done.
Step 3: Open B3's dropdown and choose Done to confirm an allowed option works. With B3 selected, try entering Blocked; Sheets should reject it and list the allowed values. Click OK, then restore B3 to Working.
Checkpoint
| Task | Status |
|---|---|
| Brief | Done |
| Dataset | Working |
| QA | Planned |
Checkpoint for “Use data validation for clean entry”: the Task, Status columns and sample records must still match this table after the lesson action.
Common mistakes and fixes
Correction: return to the exact range and command named in the steps, then compare the live sheet with the Task, Status source fields.
Independent practice
Add one row with the same schema, repeat the action, verify the new row behaves correctly, then remove it to restore the sample.
Key takeaways
- ✓Apply validation only to B2:B4, not the Status header.
- ✓Open Data > Data validation and use Add rule.
- ✓Use Dropdown with Done, Planned, and Working as the allowed options.
- ✓Confirm an allowed value can be selected and an invalid value is rejected.
- ✓Restore B3 to Working so the final sample matches the checkpoint.
Check your understanding
Answer four questions about the practice sheet.
Next lesson
Continue in recommended learning order with Add notes and comments to cells.