Toggle for Manual Entry?

[MechEng2005]

Is there a way to have a toggle button or drop-down list of some kind that would allow either manual entry or a lookup value? I have never used VBA, so excel formulas would definately make me happier, but I don't know that it can be done.

Basically, say I wanted to create a spreadsheet for simply supported beam deflection. I would like to be able to choose from a list that I could create of standard wide-flange beams OR choose "custom". If a standard beam is choosen, then the properties, such as cross-sectional area, moment of inertia, etc could be pulled from a table on a different sheet. If "custom" was choosen, these values would be manually entered.

I can do this now if I have the lookup function for finding the value, but then if I choose custom I have to type over the formula. Then, if I want to use the spreadsheet later for standard beams my lookup formula is gone. Of course, I could have the "custom" values in different cells and just use them if the ones for standard values are blank... Just wondering if there was a good way to do this...

-- MechEng2005

 

[electricpete]

How about this:

http://home.comcast.net/~electricpete/eng-tips/MechEng2005.xls

=====================================
Eng-tips forums: The best place on the web for engineering discussions.

 

[electricpete]

Some more explanation - It is a simple lookup based on the "type" selected in cell b2. Lookup filles in cells b3 and b4 which would presumably be used for calcuation input.

Custom is simply another choice. The values in the lookup table for custom are filled from a separate area at the top of the input/output sheet.

=====================================
Eng-tips forums: The best place on the web for engineering discussions.

 

[MechEng2005]

Thanks! That is exactly the type of thing I was looking for, I just couldn't think of the solution.