Copy/paste data validation in Google Spreadsheets

Question

I feel a bit silly not being able to figure this out. So this is the data validation I have set up:

Cell Range: Journal!J2

Criteria: List from a range - Journal!W2:X2

Cell Range: Journal!M2

Criteria: List from a range - Journal!Y2:AA2

This is great in my first row. I create another row and I'd like it to update all of the '2' to '3'. The cell range updates correctly, but the criteria does not, and I can't figure out an easy solution other than going in and updating it manually.

I've tried copy/paste as well as paste special -> data validation.

I know something like $Y$2 would fix the row/col but that's the opposite of what I want. I guess I'm wanting to maintain the relative formula vs it being an absolute formula?

Answer 1

Indeed, the "list from a range" type of validation treats the reference to the list as absolute rather than relative. I know two workarounds:

Custom formula

Validation based on the custom formula

=not(isna(match(J2, W2:X2, 0)))

is equivalent to "value must be from the range W2:X2", and it will be copied down correctly, the reference to W2:X2 being relative.

Drawback: you don't get an in-cell dropdown list with custom formula validation.

Script

One can use an Apps Script to manage data validation rules. The following script sets data validation rules in each cell of the range J2:J100, where the value is required to be from W:X of the same row.

function validate() {    
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
  var range = sheet.getRange("J2:J100");
  var valuesColumn = 23;  // begins in W 
  var valuesLength = 2;   // has length 2, so W:X
  var firstRow = range.getRow();
  for (var i = 0; i < range.getHeight(); i++) {
    var rule = SpreadsheetApp.newDataValidation()
               .requireValueInRange(sheet.getRange(firstRow + i, valuesColumn, 1, valuesLength), true)
               .setAllowInvalid(false)
               .build();
    range.offset(i, 0, 1, 1).setDataValidation(rule);
  }
}