Creating Custom Data Validation

Introduction

Data validation helps maintain data integrity by preventing users from entering incorrect or invalid data into Excel spreadsheets. While Excel offers built-in data validation options, there are scenarios where you need to define custom validation rules. Aspose.Cells for Java empowers you to achieve this efficiently.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the code, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

• Aspose.Cells for Java: Download and install the library from here.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Java Project

To get started, create a new Java project in your preferred Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Add the Aspose.Cells for Java library to your project’s classpath.

Step 2: Creating an Excel Workbook

Let’s begin by creating a new Excel workbook using Aspose.Cells for Java.

// Java code to create a new Excel workbook
Workbook workbook = new Workbook();

Step 3: Adding a Worksheet

Now, let’s add a worksheet to the workbook where we’ll apply our custom data validation.

// Java code to add a worksheet
Worksheet worksheet = workbook.getWorksheets().get(0);

Step 4: Defining Custom Validation Criteria

In this step, we’ll define the custom validation criteria that our data must adhere to. Let’s say we want to restrict the age entered in a cell to be between 18 and 60.

// Java code to define custom validation criteria
Validation validation = worksheet.getValidations().add();
validation.setType(ValidationType.WHOLE);
validation.setOperator(OperatorType.BETWEEN);
validation.setFormula1("18");
validation.setFormula2("60");
validation.setShowError(true);
validation.setAlertStyle(ValidationAlertType.STOP);
validation.setErrorTitle("Invalid Age");
validation.setErrorMessage("Age must be between 18 and 60.");

Step 5: Applying Data Validation to a Range

Now that we’ve defined our custom validation criteria, let’s apply it to a specific range of cells.

// Java code to apply data validation to a range
CellArea area = new CellArea();
area.startRow = 0;
area.startColumn = 0;
area.endRow = 9; // Apply validation to the first ten rows
area.endColumn = 0;

validation.addArea(area);

Step 6: Saving the Excel File

Finally, save the Excel file with the custom data validation rules applied.

// Java code to save the Excel file
workbook.save("CustomDataValidation.xlsx");

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we’ve explored how to create custom data validation rules using Aspose.Cells for Java. By following these steps, you can ensure that your Excel data adheres to specific criteria, enhancing data integrity and accuracy.

FAQ’s

How do I download Aspose.Cells for Java?

You can download Aspose.Cells for Java from the website at here.

Can I apply custom data validation to multiple ranges in the same worksheet?

Yes, you can apply custom data validation to multiple ranges within the same worksheet by repeating Step 5 for each desired range.

Are there other types of data validation supported by Aspose.Cells for Java?

Yes, Aspose.Cells for Java supports various types of data validation, including whole number, decimal, date, time, text length, and more.

How can I customize the error message displayed when data validation fails?

You can customize the error message by modifying the setErrorMessage method in Step 4, where you define the validation criteria.

Does Aspose.Cells for Java work with Excel files in different formats?

Yes, Aspose.Cells for Java supports a wide range of Excel file formats, including XLS, XLSX, XLSM, and more.