Using a Combo Box

[deerb]

I have designed a simple spreadsheet for my finances, and was going to use a dropdown combo box for categories, eg transport, home, utilities, etc. However, I was told by calc that I have to use a registered database for this. Is there any way I can hide these categories as a registered database in Calc without having to resort to creating a seperate database?

deerb

[DrewJensen]

When you placed the ListBox control on the sheet it triggered the wizard and the wizard is for setting up a link to a datasource.
Just click cancel.
The ListBox control is still on the sheet.
Right click it (get the context menu ) and select "Control"
This opens the property editor for the control
Go to the Data tab.
You will see a property for both the cell to link to ( where the value is written) and a property for a cell range that can supply values to display.

HTH

Drew

[Villeroy]

Using form controls on sheets has several drawbacks. Have a look at http://user.services.openoffice.org/en/ ... php?id=333 where I implemented something like "relations" by means of cell-validation (dynamic list validation works since OOo2.3). This technique can replace option buttons, combo boxes, check boxes.
Same with equivalents to buttons: http://user.services.openoffice.org/en/ ... php?id=716
The main advantage of "cell controls": You can copy them just like ordinary cells since they are cells. You can dynamically set their properties utilizing the spreadsheet language of references and functions.