title: Predictive text in Excel from a Data Validation list
body: <p>I've been struggling with this for some time now.</p>
  
  <p>Basically I am creating a form to be populated by an end user. The form has a series of questions to be populated from lists created by a data validation list. The lists extend to upwards of 10,000 possible entries. I want to add a predictive element to make it more user friendly.</p>
  
  <p>An example, the lists include alpha numeric options for example for vendors: ‘5463 – Acme Supplies’ or ‘5988 – Zorn Inc”. So the vendor number and name are included.</p>
  
  <p>How can I automate the selection choice in the data validation cell so that if the user knows the vendor number he can type a ‘5’ and the list of available options limits itself to those beginning with ‘5’ if the user then adds a 4, so has ‘54’ then the list limits itself to vendors with the number beginning with ‘54’?</p>
  
  <p>Similarly, if the end user know the vendor name, he can enter ‘a’ and the list limits itself to vendors beginning with the letter ‘a’ if he adds a ‘c’ then the list restricts itself to vendors beginning with ‘ac’.</p>
  
  <p>I am at a loss on this one and suspect excel cannot perform this task.</p>