Three methods to validate cells to only accept IP address in Excel

While using Excel, do you know how to set up a column or a range of cells to only accept IP address format (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx)? This article provides several methods for you to deal with it.

Validate cells to only accept IP address with Data Validation function

The Data Validation function can help you to restrict valid entries on specified cells to only allow IP address is entered in Excel. Please do as follows.

1. Select the cells you will only allow IP address format entering, then click Data > Data Validation. See screenshot:

2. In the Data Validation dialog box, select Custom in the Allow drop-down list, copy the below formula into the Formula box, and then click the OK button.

=AND((LEN(A2)-LEN(SUBSTITUTE(A2,".","")))=3,ISNUMBER(SUBSTITUTE(A2,".","")+0))

Note: In the formula, A2 is the first cell of the selected cell range. Please change it as you need.

From now on, you can only enter IP address format content into these specified cells.

If unmatched format content has been detected, a warning box will pop up as below screenshot shown.

Validate cells to only accept IP address with VBA code

You can also apply the below VBA code to validate cells to only accept IP address format in Excel. Please do as follows.

1. Open the worksheet you will validate cells, right click the sheet tab and click View Code from the context menu.

2. In the opening Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window, copy the below VBA code into it.

VBA code: validate cells to only accept IP address in Excel

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
'Update by ExtendOffice 20180809
Dim xArrIp() As String
Dim xIntIP1, xIntIP2, xIntIP3, xIntIP4 As Integer
If Intersect(Target, Range("A2:A10")) Is Nothing Then
    Exit Sub
Else
    If Target = "" Then
        Exit Sub
    End If
    xArrIp = Split(Target.Text, ".")
    If UBound(xArrIp) <> 3 Then
        GoTo EIP
    Else
    xIntIP1 = CInt(xArrIp(0))
    xIntIP2 = CInt(xArrIp(1))
    xIntIP3 = CInt(xArrIp(2))
    xIntIP4 = CInt(xArrIp(3))
    If (xIntIP1 < 1) Or (xIntIP1 > 255) _
    Or (xIntIP2 < 1) Or (xIntIP2 > 255) _
    Or (xIntIP3 < 1) Or (xIntIP3 > 255) _
    Or (xIntIP4 < 1) Or (xIntIP4 > 255) Then
    GoTo EIP
     End If
    End If
End If
Exit Sub
EIP:
    MsgBox "Please enter correct IP address"
    Target = ""
End Sub

Note: In the code, A1:A10 is the cell range you will validate the input type. Please change the range based on your needs.

3. Press the Alt + Q keys to close the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

From now on, you can only enter IP address format content into these specified cells.

If unmatched format content is entered, a warning box will pop up as below screenshot shown.

Easily validate cells to only accept IP address with an awesome feature

1. Select the range of cells that you only allow IP address to be entered. Click Kutools > Prevent Typing > Validate IP Address. See screenshot:

2. Then click OK in the popping up Kutools for Excel dialog.

From now on, only IP address format data can be entered into the specified range of cells.

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