- Select the cells that you want to contain the lists.
- On the ribbon, click DATA > Data Validation.
- In the dialog, set Allow to List.
- Click in Source, type the text or numbers (separated by commas, for a comma-delimited list) that you want in your drop-down list, and click OK.
How to Create a Drop-Down List in Excel?
Click on the data menu and choose the data validation menu as shown below.
Recommended Articles
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 –
Working with your drop-down list
After you create your drop-down list, make sure it works the way you want. For example, you might want to check to see if Change the column width and row height to show all your entries.
Download our 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.
Need more help?
You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in the Answers community.
Community Q&A
How can I add a drop down list, but not show all of the items in each row?
Tips
After you finish creating your drop-down list, open the drop-down list to make sure all the items you entered display properly. In some cases, you may need to widen the cell in order to display all your items fully.
Warnings
You will not be able to access the "Data Validation" menu if your worksheet is protected or shared. In this case, make sure to remove the protection or unshare the document, and then try to access the Data Validation menu again.
About This Article
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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 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.
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 .
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 the benefit of using tables in Excel?
That name can be referred to throughout your work. And a huge benefit of tables is that they will automatically expand when extra data is added to them.
How to use list in Excel?
Select the cells that you want to use the list, and go to the Data Validation option (in the Data tab). In the Settings screen, select List from the “Allow:” box. In the “Source:” box, select the range of cells that contain your list.
Can you allow blank values in Excel?
Depending on your requirements, you can allow blank values, and you can choose to hide the in-cell dropdown menu. (optional) Use the options in the Input Message tab if you want a message to appear when the cell is selected.
How to add drop down list in Excel?
Drop-down lists make it easier and more efficient to enter data into your spreadsheets. Simply click the arrow and select an option. You can add drop-down lists to cells in Excel containing options such as Yes and No, Male and Female, or any other custom list of options.
Where is the down arrow button in Excel?
When the cell containing the drop-down list is selected, you’ll see a down arrow button to the right of the cell. If you added an input message, it displays below the cell. The down arrow button only displays when the cell is selected. Click the down arrow button to drop down the list of options and select one.
What does "ignore blank" mean in Excel?
The “Ignore blank” check box is checked by default. This means that the user can select the cell and then deselect the cell without selecting an item. If you want to require the user to select an option from the drop-down list, uncheck the Ignore blank check box.
Can you have multiple drop down lists in Excel?
If you have many drop-down lists you need to add on a worksheet, you may want to put the lists of options on another worksheet in the same workbook. You can hide the worksheet containing your lists of options to prevent them from being changed.
5 Examples of Excel Drop Down List from Table
To create a drop-down list from a table we can use the validation option. This is one of the easiest methods to create a drop-down. We will use validation in the following three ways:
Things to Remember
1. The drop-down list is lost if you copy a cell (that does not contain a drop-down list) over a cell that contains a drop-down list.
Conclusion
In this article, we have tried to cover all the possible methods to create excel drop-down lists from tables. Download the practice workbook added with this article and do practice yourself. If you feel any kind of confusion just comment in the below box.
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.
Can you create a drop down list in Excel without a name?
However, it is also possible to create a drop-down list without providing the name to the range.
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.
