// Create a new workbook Workbook workbook = new Workbook(); IWorksheet worksheet = workbook.getWorksheets().get(0); worksheet.getRange("A2").setValue(1); worksheet.getRange("A3").setValue(2); worksheet.getRange("C2").setValue(0); //create custom validation, if the expression "=$C$2" result is true, the cell's validation will be true, otherwise, it is false. //when use custom validation, validationOperator and formula2 parameters will be ignored even if you have given. worksheet.getRange("A2:A3").getValidation().add(ValidationType.Custom, ValidationAlertStyle.Information, ValidationOperator.Between, "=$C$2", null); //judge if Range["A2:A3"] has validation. for (int i = 1; i <= 2; i++) { if (worksheet.getRange(i, 0).getHasValidation()) { //set the range[i, 0]'s interior color. worksheet.getRange(i, 0).getInterior().setColor(Color.GetLightBlue()); } } // Save to an excel file workbook.save("CreateCustomValidation.xlsx");