A drop-down list is a simple element for systematizing data in Excel.
This feature allows us, inside one cell, to get a whole list of data to choose from, and depending on the desired text/data, we can choose one of the options provided.
This greatly simplifies using the table and makes it convenient for several users to use the same book.
Here, we collected all the ways on how to add a drop-down list in Excel.
Before moving on to the first method of how to insert dropdown in Excel, let’s take a look at the initial steps for each subsequent method.
The Initial steps
Step 1. Open Excel
Step 2. Enter the required data in the cells
Step 3. Select the range of cells to be in the drop-down list
The first method of how to make a dropdown in Excel
Step 1. Select the cell where you want the Excel multiple selection dropdown should be
Step 2. Go to the “Data” window in the top menu
Step 3. Click on the “Data Validation” shortcut
Step 4. Select the “List” line from the options in the drop-down window
Step 5. Point the mouse to the “Source” line
Step 6. Select the range of the desired cells
In the same window, you will have two lines you need to pay attention to:
If there is a checkmark next to the first line, it means that whatever range you select, if there are blank cells among them, they will be ignored in the list.
The second way to insert a drop-down list in Excel
The next way on how to add a drop-down list in Excel starts exactly like the previous one. But the advantage of this method is that you do not have to enter the data that should be in the list into cells in Excel.
This is useful if you don’t need to display this data in the book. You enter information in the window of the drop-down list, and no one except you will have access to this information.
Step 1. Open Excel
Step 2. Go to the “Data” window in the top menu
Step 3. Click on the “Data Validation” shortcut
Step 4. Select the “List” line from the options in the drop-down window
Step 5. Point the mouse to the “Source” line
Step 6. Enter manually the data to be displayed in the list separated by commas or semicolons
What is the difference between entering data with a comma or a semicolon?
In the first case, all entered data separated by commas will be displayed in the same line of the list. It’ll look like this:
And if you enter the data separated by semicolons, each item will be displayed in a new item in the drop-down list. For example, it will look like this:
The third way to create a drop-down list in Excel
There is another easy way of how to make a drop-down list in Excel. This method operates very easily on all Apple devices. To do this, you just need to find the “Tell me” window in the Excel window:
By clicking on it, you can enter the feature you are looking for. And the app itself will provide you with all the available buttons for this feature. This is how it looks in the example with a drop-down list:
You click on the desired line and then repeat the steps:
Step 1. Select the “List” line from the options in the drop-down window
Step 2. Point the mouse to the “Source” line
Step 3. Select the range of the desired cells
And now, you have a cell and Excel multiple selection dropdown.
How to make a conditional drop-down list
Now, let’s look at a way of how to make a conditional drop-down list in Excel. Let’s imagine that you need to make a drop-down list of cells in which this feature has been already included. Let’s use an example.
Step 1. Select the cell where you want the Excel multiple selection dropdown should be
Step 2. Go to the “Data” window in the top menu
Step 3. Click on the “Data Validation” shortcut
Step 4. Select the “List” line from the options in the drop-down window
Step 5. Point the mouse to the “Source” line
Step 6. Select the range of the desired cells
Repeat this procedure to make some more cells with a drop-down list. Do this as many times as you need.
After that, follow the steps below to make a conditional drop-down list in Excel.
Step 1. Select the cell where you want the Excel multiple selection dropdown should be
Step 2. Go to the “Data” window in the top menu
Step 3. Click on the “Data Validation” shortcut
Step 4. Select the “List” line from the options in the drop-down window
Step 5. Point the mouse to the “Source” line
Step 6. Using the equal sign select the cells with multi-selection you already have (you can either point to the desired cells or enter the data manually)
In such a way, you will have a conditional drop-down list in Excel. That is, the choice of data in this list will depend on the data that is currently included in the cells with drop-down lists we created in the first part of this method.
So, in this article, we have reviewed all the possible methods on how to insert a dropdown list in Excel. You can choose any of these options, which seemed to be easier for you than the rest ones. And now, you will be able to use Excel much better than other users.
