• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

DummyTech.com

All about the latest techs, gadgets and phones.

How to Create Dropdown Lists in Excel Easily

February 12, 2018 By David Leave a Comment Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: create drop down list, dropdown list in excel, excel dropdown

Dropdown lists can be created in Excel to allow a user to select from a list of items during data entry. Creating a dropdown list in Excel is quite simple. One of the benefits of using a drop-down list as opposed entering data manually is to prevent entry errors. In addition, drop down lists ensure that data is entered uniformly throughout the worksheet. If a user tries to enter data in a cell for which a dropdown menu exists, Excel rejects the entry unless it is identical to one of the options in the dropdown menu. Continue reading to find out how to create dropdown lists in Excel.

How to Create Dropdown Lists in Excel

For this tutorial, the data to be displayed when a drop-down menu is clicked on will be entered in cells A1:A5. You can either create the items in a single column or a single row. For example, instead of A1:A5, it can be A1:E1. We will be creating a dropdown list in cell F6 using the data entered in A1:A5. Let’s get started.

  1. Enter the dropdown list items in cells A1:A5.
  2. Select cell F6.
  3. Click on Data tab from the Excel Ribbon.
  4. Click on Data Validation arrow key and select Data Validation from the list.
  5. Click on the dropdown list under Allow and select List. Also ensure that the Ignore Blank and In-cell dropdown check boxes are checked (selected).
  6. Click on the Source Control icon and click and drag the cells where your drop-down list items appear, in our case, it’s A1:A5. You can also manually type in the Source which would be =$A$1:$A$5.
  7. Hit Enter.
  8. Click OK.

The dropdown arrow becomes visible when the cell containing the list is selected or active. Otherwise, the cell appears as a normal cell.

how to create dropdown list in excel

Method 2: Entering the List of Options Directly Into Source Field

You don’t necessarily have to create a list of options separately to create a dropdown list. If you have a relatively small list of options, you can directly enter the list items in the Source field under Data Validation dialog box. Here are the steps:

  1. Select the cell where you want to insert a drop down list.
  2. Click on Data tab from the Excel Ribbon.
  3. Click on Data Validation arrow key and select Data Validation from the list.
  4. Click on the dropdown list under Allow and select List. Also ensure that the Ignore Blank and In-cell dropdown check boxes are checked (selected).
  5. In the Source field, enter your list of options separated by commas. Thus, entering Option 1, Option 2, Option 3 will results in a dropdown list with those items.
  6. Click OK to create the dropdown list.

dropdown list source field entry

Entering the Same Dropdown List to Multiple Cells

You have the option to create the dropdown list in multiple cells at the same time. Select as many cells as you want, either by clicking and dragging the mouse or simply pressing down Ctrl key and clicking on the specific cells you want. Then follow steps 3 to 8 to enter the dropdown list in all those cells at once.

Entering a Custom Error Alert for Dropdown Lists

When an error alert is setup for the dropdown list, it will generate a message for Excel users when they try to enter something manually into a cell for which a dropdown menu exists. Follow these steps to enter a custom error message for dropdown lists in Excel:

  1. Create a dropdown list using any of the methods listed above.
  2. Open the Data Validation dialog box and click on Error Alert tab.
  3. Ensure the Show error alert after invalid data is entered box is checked.
  4. Select a Style.
  5. Give your error message a title.
  6. Enter the custom error message you want the users to see when they enter an invalid entry.
  7. Click OK.

custom error message for dropdown lists in excel

There you go folks. This is how you enter drop down lists in Excel. If you found this post useful, please leave a comment.

Please Share:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • WhatsApp
  • Google

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • AMP
  • Android
  • Boating
  • Car Gadgets
  • Computer Accessories
  • Desktops and Laptops
  • Electronic Deals
  • Everything Else
  • Free Tech Support
  • Free Virus Removal
  • Hot Deals
  • Internet
  • iPhone and iPad
  • Latest Computer Deals
  • Live Wallpapers
  • Mobile Phones
  • Product Reviews
  • Screensavers
  • Smartphones
  • Software
  • Tablet PCs
  • Technology
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Uncategorized
  • Windows

Subscribe to DummyTech via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 17 other subscribers

Most Viewed Posts

  • [Fixed] Equation Icon is Grayed Out in MS Word
  • Excel Merge and Center Icon is Grayed Out, Not Functional
  • Fix Blurry Videos in Windows Movie Maker
  • How to Hide Away and Offline Time in Skype for Business
  • How to Hide Away and Offline Time in Lync 2013
  • How to hide Away and Offline time in Lync 2010
  • How to Add Blank Space in PDF Document

Recent Posts

  • How to Disable Focused Inbox in Outlook 2016
  • How to Open a New Window When Replying in Outlook 2016
  • Summit Energy Door to Door Sales Scam
  • How to Send PM on Reddit (Private Message)
  • How to Increase Font Size in SAP for Your Eyes
  • How to Remove Compact Navigation in Outlook 2016
  • How to Change Fahrenheit to Celsius in Outlook 2016
  • Adobe Acrobat Closes When Saving a File [Fixed]
  • How to Make a WordPress Sticky Post to Show on Front Page
  • How to Password Protect Emails in Microsoft Outlook
  • CRA Scam Phone Call 1-450-809-0127
  • How to Add Read More Link in Genesis Theme to Replace […] After Excerpts
  • How to Import PDF File into a Word Document
  • How to Flip Text Like Mirror Image in Word
  • Browse Privately and Clear History with Firefox for Android
  • Lowes.ca Online Shopping Experience
  • Scratch ‘N’ Win Match 4 Game Card Real or Fake?
  • [Fixed] Microsoft Excel cannot open or save any more documents because there is not enough available memory or disk space
  • TekSavvy Internet Review After 10 Years of Usage
  • How to Fix Malwarebytes Real Time Protection Not Turning On
  • How to Fix the File is Corrupt and cannot be Opened Error in Excel 2010
  • How to Open 2 Excel Files in Separate Windows
  • How to Insert Degree Symbol in Microsoft Word
  • How to View Hidden Text in Word Documents
  • How to Highlight Text in WordPress Blog Post
  • How to Fix Outlook Verifying Data Integrity During Startup
  • How to Remove Highlights from a Word Document
  • How to File Your Tax Return for Free in Canada
  • How to Delete a Blank Page in Microsoft Word
  • How to Play .swf Files in Windows 10
  • How to Find the Right CPU Replacement Fan for Computer
  • How to Replace Noisy CPU Fan in Desktop Computers
  • How to Turn a Tablet Data Only Plan into a Voice Plan with Talk and Text
  • How to Get Unlimited Data for Free from Fido
  • How to Batch Resize Images for Free Using Irfanview

Links

  • Free HD Wallpapers
  • Free iPhone 8 Wallpapers
  • Free Samsung Galaxy S8 Wallpapers
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2019 DummyTech.com