Apache POI- HSSFDataValidation Formula Validation for Entire column

Question

Hello,
I have been looking HSSFDataValidation and was able to run the sample below.
My requirement is I need to apply this formula for Entire column to achieve the need like
When user enters data in col2 (B) of greater than the number specified in col1 (A) and then show the ErrorBox.
I am able to get the formula working through code only for first cell as per below code... I want it to dynamically apply for the entire column.
Please suggest...
   1. import java.io.File; 
   2. import java.io.FileOutputStream; 
   3. import java.util.ArrayList; 
   4. import org.apache.poi.hssf.usermodel.DVConstraint; 
   5. import org.apache.poi.hssf.usermodel.HSSFDataValidation; 
   6. import org.apache.poi.hssf.usermodel.HSSFSheet; 
   7. import org.apache.poi.hssf.usermodel.HSSFWorkbook; 
   8. import org.apache.poi.hssf.util.CellRangeAddress; 
   9. import org.apache.poi.hssf.util.CellRangeAddressList; 
  10. import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.Cell; 
  11. import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.Row; 
  12.  
  13. public class TestThis{  
  14. public static void main1(String[] args) { 
  15.         // New Workbook.  
  16.         File outputFile = new File("C:/mamatha.xls"); 
  17.         try { 
  18.             
  19.             FileOutputStream fos = new FileOutputStream(outputFile); 
  20.             HSSFWorkbook workbook = new HSSFWorkbook(); 
  21.             HSSFSheet sheet = workbook.createSheet("Validation"); 
  22.             Row row = sheet.createRow(0); 
  23.             Cell cell = row.createCell(0); 
  24.             cell.setCellValue(5); 
  25.             cell = row.createCell(1); 
  26.             cell.setCellValue("good"); 
  27.             row = sheet.createRow(1); 
  28.             cell = row.createCell(0); 
  29.             cell.setCellValue(7); 
  30.             cell = row.createCell(1); 
  31.             cell.setCellValue("now"); 
  32.  
  33.             //String formula = "IF(LEN($B$1) > $A$1, FALSE, $B$1)"; 
  34.             String formula = "IF(LEN($B$1:$B10) > $A$1:$A10, FALSE, $B$1:$B10)"; 
  35.             CellRangeAddressList addressList = new CellRangeAddressList(); 
  36.             addressList.addCellRangeAddress(0, 1, 3, 1); 
  37.             DVConstraint constraing = DVConstraint.createFormulaListConstraint(formula); 
  38.  
  39.             HSSFDataValidation dataValidation = new HSSFDataValidation(addressList, constraing); 
  40.             dataValidation.setEmptyCellAllowed(true); 
  41.             dataValidation.setShowPromptBox(true); 
  42.             dataValidation.setSuppressDropDownArrow(false); 
  43.             dataValidation.createErrorBox("Invalid input !!", " Length of Col B > colA "); 
  44.             sheet.addValidationData(dataValidation); 
  45.             workbook.write(fos); 
  46.         } catch (Exception e) { 
  47.             System.out.println(e); 
  48.         } 
  49.     } 
  50. }  Thanks
Mamatha
Edited by: user8984775 on Mar 17, 2011 11:20 PM
Edited by: user8984775 on Mar 17, 2011 11:22 PM

Answer 1

user8984775 wrote:
My requirement is I need to apply this formula for Entire column to achieve the need like
When user enters data in col2 (B) of greater than the number specified in col1 (A) and then show the ErrorBox.
I am able to get the formula working through code only for first cell as per below code... I want it to dynamically apply for the entire column. Well I'm certainly no expert on POI, but that looks like a very odd formula to me.
When you "pull" a formula down a column, Excel automatically changes the formula for each row, but because you've fixed both the column AND the row ($A$1), it'll be the same in all cases.
I don't know if POI allows that sort of "auto-generate" for formulas, but if so try something like $A1 instead; otherwise I suspect you'll need a different formula for each row.
Winston