
If you often edit the items in the drop-down menu, you may want to create a dynamic drop down list in Excel. If the latter, you simply go to the other sheet and select a range using a mouse.Ĭreate a dynamic (automatically updated) Excel dropdown The range may be in the same or in a different worksheet.

If your named range has at least one blank cell, selecting the Ignore blank box allows any value to be entered in the validated cell. These values should be entered in a single column or row without any blank cells.įor example, let's create a drop-down list of ingredients for your favorite recipes: Select the entries you want to appear in your drop-down menu in an existing worksheet or type the entries in a new sheet. Type the entries for your drop-down list. This method of creating an Excel data validation list takes a bit more time, but it may save even more time in the long run. If it's not the case, consider using one of the following options.

This method works well for small Excel data validation lists that are unlikely to ever change. Well, your drop-down box is ready in under a minute. Now, Excel users simply click an arrow next to a cell containing a dropdown box, and then select the entry they want from the drop down menu.


You start by selecting a cell or cells where you want a drop-down box to appear. Select a cell or range for your drop-down list. This is the fastest way to add a drop-down box in all versions of Excel 2010 through Excel 365. Drop-down box from comma-separated valuesĬreate drop down list with comma-separated values.Below you will find a quick outline of the main advantages and drawbacks as well as the detailed step-by-step instructions for each method: On the whole, there are 4 ways to create a drop down menu in Excel using the Data Validation feature.
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How to copy a dropdown into multiple cells.Allow entering other data in a combo box.Display a message when a cell with the dropdown is clicked.Additional options for the Excel drop-down box.How to fix Excel data validation not working.Make a dropdown list from another workbook.Apart from that, a dropdown prevents spelling mistakes and makes data input faster. The main purpose of using drop down lists in Excel is to limit the number of choices available for the user. It also shows how to create a dropdown from another workbook, edit, copy and delete data validation lists.Įxcel drop-down list, aka drop down box or combo box, is used to enter data in a spreadsheet from a pre-defined items list. The tutorial demonstrates 4 quick ways to add a dropdown in Excel.
