excel drop down menu

How do you make a drop down menu in Excel?

How to Create a Drop-Down List in Excel: Introducing the “1 Minute Drop–Down“

1. Go to the “Data” tab. This step is easy! ...
2. Click “Data Validation”. Now click the button “Data validation” in the middle of the ribbon ( do not click the little arrow – simply click the top part ...
3. Choose the “List”. ...
4. Select the source. ...
5. Here’s the end result! ...

How to create dropdown menu in Excel?

• Step I: This is your excel sheet. ...
• Step II: Select Data- Data Validation from the option given below.
• Step III: Then select List.
• Step IV: In the source, you have to enter the values ​​that you want to put in the dropdown list, pressing the change arrow as you can see in the ...
• Step V: Here is the list just by clicking OK.

How to create drop down buttons in Excel?

Now let’s see how to get the Grade to the drop-down list as follows:

• Go to the Data tab.
• Select the data validation option.
• You will get the dialogue box which will show validation criteria.
• Choose the List option from the drop-down list.
• Place the cell in the G column as shown below in the screenshot to get the drop-down list menu.
• Select the database column from C2:C8.
• Click ok.

How do I create a drop down menu?

Steps:

• Click the name of your main menu.
• Choose one of the menu items to be the header for your drop-down menu, or add a new menu item to be the header. ...
• Add menu items to include in the new drop-down menu. ...
• Click and drag the menu items to nest below the header item.
• Click Save menu.

How to Create a Drop-Down List in Excel?

Click on the data menu and choose the data validation menu as shown below.

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This has been a guide to Drop Down List in Excel. Here we discuss creating a Drop Down List in Excel and practical examples and a downloadable excel template. You can also go through our other suggested articles –

How to edit a drop down in Excel?

Open the Excel spreadsheet file you want to edit. You can find and double-click a saved Excel file on your computer, or open Microsoft Excel and create a new worksheet. Enter the list of values for your drop-down in a column. Make sure to enter each drop-down entry in a separate, consecutive cell in the same column.

What is in cell dropdown?

In-cell dropdown option. When this option is checked, you will create a drop-down list in the selected cell on your spreadsheet.

How to type drop down list?

When typing the list of items for your drop-down list, type them in the order in which you want them to appear in the drop-down menu. For example, you can type your entries in alphabetical order to make it easier for users to find certain items or values.

What is the Show input message option?

Show input message... option. This option allows you to display a tiny pop-up message when the drop-down is selected.

Can you leave empty fields in Excel?

You can leave these fields empty. In this case, the error title and message will default to Microsoft Excel's generic error template.

How to sort data in drop down list?

Now is a good time to Sort your data in the order you want it to appear in your drop-down list. Select the cell in the worksheet where you want the drop-down list. Go to the Data tab on the Ribbon, then click Data Validation. On the Settings tab, in the Allow box, click List.

How to show a message that doesn't stop people from entering data that isn't in the drop answer?

To show a message that doesn’t stop people from entering data that isn’t in the drop-down list, click Information or Warning. Information will show a message with this icon and Warning will show a message with this icon .

How to get a message to pop up when clicked?

If you want a message to pop up when the cell is clicked, check the Show input message when cell is selected box, and type a title and message in the boxes (up to 225 characters). If you don’t want a message to show up, clear the check box.

How to help people work more efficiently in a worksheet?

You can help people work more efficiently in worksheets by using drop-down lists in cells. Drop-downs allow people to pick an item from a list that you create.

Why is the dialog box minimized?

The dialog box minimizes to make the sheet easier to see.

Can you download Excel data validation examples?

You can download an example workbook with multiple data validation examples like the one in this article. You can follow along, or create your own data validation scenarios. Download Excel data validation examples.

Create a drop-down list using existing data

If you want to create and insert a drop-down list using data already entered in the spreadsheet, follow the steps below.

Create a drop-down list by defining the list of values

If you want to create and insert a drop-down list, and define the list of values to display, follow the steps below.

How to create a drop down list in Excel?

To create a drop-down list in Excel, execute the following steps. 1. On the second sheet, type the items you want to appear in the drop-down list. Note: if you don't want users to access the items on Sheet2, you can hide Sheet2. To achieve this, right click on the sheet tab of Sheet2 and click on Hide.

How to add a drop down list to the end of a list?

You can also use a formula that updates your drop-down list automatically when you add an item to the end of the list. 1. On the first sheet, select cell B1. 2. On the Data tab, in the Data Tools group, click Data Validation. The 'Data Validation' dialog box appears. 3.

How to allow other entries in Excel?

Allow Other Entries. You can also create a drop-down list in Excel that allows other entries. 1. First, if you type a value that is not in the list, Excel shows an error alert. To allow other entries, execute the following steps. 2. On the Data tab, in the Data Tools group, click Data Validation.

How to create dependent drop down list?

For example, if the user selects Pizza from a first drop-down list. 2. A second drop-down list contains the Pizza items. 3. But if the user selects Chinese from the first drop-down list, the second drop-down list contains the Chinese dishes.

What is indirect function in Excel?

Explanation: the INDIRECT function in Excel converts a text string into a valid reference.

Can you store items in an Excel table?

You can also store your items in an Excel table to create a dynamic drop-down list.

How to add drop down menu in Excel?

Here’s the quickest way to set up a drop down menu in Excel: In your Excel workbook, select the cells that you want to apply the drop down menu to. Click on the Data Validation menu (in the Data tab in the Excel Ribbon), or use the shortcut Alt-A-V-V. In the “Allow:” dropdown menu, select “List”. In the “Source:” box, enter in your values separated ...

What does "drop down menu" mean in Excel?

It means you can simply refer to a column within an Excel table, and the menu will automatically update based on the items in that list. If you anticipate adding extra items to your drop down menu over time, then this method is the best long-term solution as it’s the “cleanest” way to refer to your list of menu items.

How to create a table in Excel?

Select the data range you just entered (including the heading), and create an Excel Table by going to Insert > Table from the Excel Ribbon, or by using the shortcut Ctrl + T. Click OK when the dialog box appears.

What is method 3 in Excel?

Method #3 requires you to create an Excel Table, but is perfect for creating a foolproof drop down Excel menu that can handle anything you throw at it.

What if you want to update your menu items later?

What if you want to update your menu items later? If one of the departments in your company has a name change, then you would have to select all of the cells that use the drop down menu, and manually update the details .

Where is the data validation menu in Excel?

The Data Validation menu is in the Data tab in the Excel Ribbon:

Which is better: drop down list or drop down menu?

Drop down list method #1 is the quickest way, but not very good for long-term Excel files. Method #2 is a little more stable and allows you to consistently edit the drop down menu items without breaking anything. Method #3 requires you to create an Excel Table, but is perfect for creating a foolproof drop down Excel menu ...

What is a drop down menu?

A drop down list is actually a tiny window from where you can peek into some other data you have constructed. This also gives you the possibility of controlling exactly what can be entered into a cell. This makes the drop-down menu a very common and powerful data validation tool.

How long does it take to create a drop down menu?

With some practice, you can almost create these drop-downs instantly. I’ve managed to create one in a mere 15 seconds.

Is it easy to create a drop down menu?

Luckily, creating a drop-down menu is super easy if you know the exact steps.

How to edit drop down boxes in Excel?

all cells which have a drop-down box is applied, and you wanted to edit. From Excel Ribbon, click Data tab > Data Validation.

Why are drop down lists useful?

Excel drop-down lists are very useful to view a large amount of data in a small area. They also allow you to add limitations for users to make any additional changes other than recommended. There might be some situations where you, being a source, wanted to update the contents of drop-down lists.

What is a comma separated drop down list?

A comma-separated drop-down list is the one under which you have defined list variables manually using a comma to separate them. Suppose you have some questions to the person who came for an interview in your company; those questions are having polar answers (Yes/NO/May Be). You can see the image below for better generalization.

How to get name manager in Excel?

From the excel ribbon, go to Formula tab > Name Manager (or press Ctrl + F3 simultaneously).

What is the best source to create a drop down list?

A drop-down list based on table ranges is the best source to create a drop-down list as it allows the drop-down list to update automatically as soon as we add the entries to the data table. Which advantage is not seen in any other method.

Can you edit a drop down list based on a table range?

The answer is yes! However, there is no conventional way to edit the drop-down list based on a Table Range. The reason behind it is, when we use Table as a source/range to a drop-down list, the range gets fixed under Name Manager. You can’t edit the range there.

Can you create a drop down list in Excel without a reference?

However, it is also possible to create a drop-down list without providing the name to the range.