Defining constraints and rules regarding the range and type of data that can…

Concept

In a spreadsheet program, a feature that lets you set rules about WHAT may be typed into a cell or a range — the kind of data (whole number, decimal, date, text length, item from a list) and the allowed values (a minimum, a maximum, a range) — is a data-entry restriction feature. Its purpose is to keep entered data consistent and error-free before it is even accepted.

Application

The stem describes exactly this: “constraints and rules regarding the range and type of data that can be inputted in a worksheet range.” In MS-Excel this is the Data Validation feature (Data tab → Data Tools → Data Validation). It lets you specify a criterion such as “whole number between 1 and 100” or “any date after today” or “only values from this list,” and Excel then blocks or warns on anything that breaks the rule.

Contrast

• Data Validation — sets allowed type and range of input for a cell/range; this matches the definition.

• Data Testing — not an Excel feature for restricting cell input; a general software-quality term, unrelated to entry rules.

• Data Control — not the Excel feature name; “control” here is too vague and is not the menu/tool Excel provides for input rules.

• Data Query — about retrieving or fetching data (e.g. Power Query / Get Data), not about constraining what a user may type in.

So the feature that defines the permitted type and range of input is Data Validation.