How to create drop down list with multiple selections or values in Excel?

By default, when you create a data validation drop down list in your worksheet, you can just select only one item per time in the list. But if you want to select multiple values in the drop-down list, what would you do? In this article, we will show you how to enhance the selection in the drop-down list.

Create drop down list with multiple selections with VBA code

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Create drop down list with multiple selections with VBA code

With VBA method, your drop down list can select multiple values instead of one in your worksheet.

1. After creating your drop down list, for example your drop down list is locating in sheet1, right click on the Sheet1 tab and click View Code in the right-clicking menu. See screenshot:

2. In the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window, double click the Sheet1 to open the Code editor, then copy and paste the below VBA code into the editor. See screenshot:

VBA code: drop down list with multiple selections

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
    'Updated: 2016/4/12
    Dim xRng As Range
    Dim xValue1 As String
    Dim xValue2 As String
    If Target.Count > 1 Then Exit Sub
    On Error Resume Next
    Set xRng = Cells.SpecialCells(xlCellTypeAllValidation)
    If xRng Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
    Application.EnableEvents = False
    If Not Application.Intersect(Target, xRng) Is Nothing Then
        xValue2 = Target.Value
        Application.Undo
        xValue1 = Target.Value
        Target.Value = xValue2
        If xValue1 <> "" Then
            If xValue2 <> "" Then
                If xValue1 = xValue2 Or _
                   InStr(1, xValue1, ", " & xValue2) Or _
                   InStr(1, xValue1, xValue2 & ",") Then
                    Target.Value = xValue1
                Else
                    Target.Value = xValue1 & ", " & xValue2
                End If
            End If
        End If
    End If
    Application.EnableEvents = True
End Sub

3. Then click File > Close and Return to Microsoft Excel to exit the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

4. Go to the drop down list you have created, you can select multiple values from the list as below screenshot shows.

Notes:

1. Duplicate values do not allow in the drop-down list.

2. The VBA code can only work for the current opened workbook. If you close and reopen the workbook, the VBA code will be removed automatically from your worksheet, and also the multiple selection is unusable anymore. So you need to save the workbook as Excel Macro- Enabled Workbook format when you save your workbook.

Related articles:

• How to auto populate other cells when selecting values in Excel drop down list?
• How to autocomplete when typing in Excel drop down list?
• How to create a searchable drop down list in Excel?
• How to create a drop down list calendar in Excel?
• How to create drop down list from another workbook in Excel?

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