The special message only appears after I type in the restricted cells and hit
<Enter but I can live with that. Thank you for your help.
"Ragdyer" wrote:

Say you want A1:A10 to be restricted.

Select the range, A1:A10, then in Data Validation,
Check "Custom" in the Allow window, and enter this formula:
=A1=""

Then, click the "Input Message" tab, and type in your message,
"Data Must Be Entered In "P.A."

Then click <OK.

Now, just clicking in any restricted cell will bring up that special
message, even before any attempt is made to key in data.
If the message is ignored, and data is keyed in, when <Enter is hit, the
"Error Alert" message comes up, which you can also customize to your liking.
--
HTH,

RD

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"KG" wrote in message
...
I have used data validation to set parameters for valid data entry and I
have
also used cell protection to prevent any type of data entry. What I am
trying
to do in this instance is to prevent data entry but, instead of the
standard
message that pops up when using cell protection, I want to display a
customized message such as:

Data for these fields must be entered in "Project Assumptions"

Can Data validation be used to prevent data entry of any kind or do I need
to look for a VBA solution?