Thanks Biff & Roger for your posts.

I deleted the data validation and re-created it, but the same effect is
still seen.

Unfortunately this is a workbook that will be distributed to users who will
not reliably enable macros, so I can't rely on a VBA solution.

Best,
Keith

"Roger Govier" wrote:

hi

From a previous posting by Debra Dalgleish

The dropdown width should stay approximately the same width as the
column. However, sometimes it gets confused if there are merged cells
in the worksheet, or if you change the column size after creating the
data validation. I haven't found a reliable solution to this problem.

Debra offers some VBA code to temporarily widen a DV list box when
activated.
maybe you could use this to fix your width and prevent it from going so
wide.

--
Regards
Roger Govier

ker_01 wrote:
I have a data validation cell (List) that uses a named range as the source.
The named range is: GraphLocList=Sheet2!$B$1:$J$1

The list is mostly 3-letter acronyms, with the longest entry being a
9-letter name. I have confirmed that the cells do not contain any extra blank
characters, just the strings that are visible.

My data validation cell is Sheet1, cell D81. The list shows up with the
expected contents, but an unexpected width. The drop-down is so wide it
starts halfway through column B (width 47) and crosses C (width 11) in
addition to covering column D. My entries are so short, they are all
left-justified and show up under column B, when they would all fit (or nearly
fit) if the drop-down was just the width of D.

This workbook was created in XL03, but shows the same symptom when opened in
XL07.

Any suggestions on how to shrink the width of the drop-down to something
more manageable would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Keith
.