Creating spreadsheet with changing values

Question

I am trying to create a spreadsheet where the result depends on the value of 2 options selected. Option 1 is a list of different TV manufactures. Option 2 will provide a list of model numbers depending on which manufacturer was chosen in option 1 and finally box 3 will show a list of remote control codes depending on what was chosen in option 2.
My questions are as follows;
How do you create a further list for option 2 that changes depending on what was chosen in option 1?
How do you have it so the final result in box 3 shows a list of codes depending on the value chosen in option 2?
My second question may be answered by the answer to my first question but i'll include it anyway
I currently have a list created for the manufacturers in option 1.
Option 1 result is set up (and will be shown) in B5
Option 2 result is set up (and will be shown) in B9
And the final result will be shown in B14

Answer 1

Kona2010 wrote:
I am trying to create a spreadsheet where the result depends on the value of 2 options selected. Option 1 is a list of different TV manufactures. Option 2 will provide a list of model numbers depending on which manufacturer was chosen in option 1 and finally box 3 will show a list of remote control codes depending on what was chosen in option 2.
My questions are as follows;
How do you create a further list for option 2 that changes depending on what was chosen in option 1?
How do you have it so the final result in box 3 shows a list of codes depending on the value chosen in option 2?
Here's a solution that gets part way to what you want. Rather than a list of codes in a single cell, though, it presents the list in multiple cells across a single row. A revision to the way data is entered on the lookup table to open the list in a single cell is offered at the end of the notes below the illustration.
Three table (Select Mfg, Results, and Lookup table) are used. Lookup table may be placed on a separate sheet.
The second copy of Results (with all rows and columns shown) is provided for the explanation below, and would not be included in your version.
Select Mfg is a two cell table. A2 is a pop-up menu containing a placeholder entry (---) and the names of all manufacturers represented on Lookup table.
Results contains a row for each manufacturer
Column B in each row is a pop-up menu listing model numbers for the models made by that manufacturer.
Column C compares the manufacturer name in column A (hidden) with the name chosen in A2 of Select Mfg, returning TRUE ifthey match, FALSE if they do not. Formula (in C2):
=A2=Select Mfg::$A$2
Filled down the rest of column C.
Cells to the right of these (columns D to F in the example) lookup the codes for the manufacturer and model number selected. Formula in D2:
=IF($C,VLOOKUP($B,Lookup table :: $A:$D,COLUMN()-2,FALSE),"")
Filled down and right.
The Reorganize dialogue is used to show only the header row of Results and the row with TRUE in column C.
Select the Results table, Click the Reorganize button to open the dialogue.
In the “Show rows... section, choose: Column C    is    TRUE
then click the check box.
Revision: To show all codes for a given model in a vertical list in one cell, enter the codes for that model in one cell (column B of the Lookup table), pressing option-return after each code.
eg. for the codes shown in row 4 of the Lookup table, to the right of Model No. K8032, you would type the following into B4:
2-1option-return+2-2+option-return2-3   (where option-return means press the option key, tap the return key, release the option key)
The columns for C-2 and C-3 would not be needed in this version.
Placing the results as requested can be done by inserting the formulas below in the three listed cells on your main table (after making the revision above to the Lookup table and Results table.
B5:   =Select Mfg :: $A$2
B9:   =VLOOKUP($B$5,Results :: $A:$D,COLUMN(),FALSE)
B14: =VLOOKUP($B$5,Results :: $A:$D,COLUMN()+2,FALSE)
Note; Although the last formula does return the full list of codes for the chosen model, it did not, in my test, automatically resize row 14 to display the whole list as shown in the Results table above. You will need to set the row height to accommodate the longest list that will occur, or adjust it for each list.
I would recommend taking a close look at VLOOKUP in the iWork Formulas and Functions User Guide. You'll find a link to the guide (and one to the equally useful numbers '09 User Guide) in the Help menu in Numbers.
Regards,
Barry