How to allow only one checkbox in a group to be selected in Excel?

In some Excel applications, you might need to let users select only one option from a group of checkboxes—mimicking the behavior of radio buttons. For example, as shown in the screenshot below, when you check one checkbox in row2, all other checkboxes in the group are instantly disabled, ensuring that only a single choice is possible at any one time. This restriction is useful in survey forms, single-answer selection lists, or dashboards where you want to prevent multiple answers. Achieving this functionality directly in Excel requires specific techniques, such as using VBA code. This article provides practical solutions to enable a "single selection" effect with checkboxes in Excel, including step-by-step instructions and important considerations for real-world usage.

• Only make one checkbox to be selected with VBA code

Only make one checkbox to be selected with VBA code

You can use the following VBA approach to ensure only one checkbox in a group may be selected at a time. This solution is especially suitable when you need a seamless, automatic experience—ideal for complex templates or when controlling enable/disable logic is important.

1. Start by inserting the checkboxes where you want a single selection enforced. For this solution, you must use ActiveX Control checkboxes, as Form Controls checkboxes do not support the enable/disable mechanism directly. To insert ActiveX checkboxes, go to Developer tab > Insert > ActiveX Controls > Check Box. Arrange all checkboxes within your desired group as shown below:

2. Press Alt + F11 together to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window. 

3. In the editor window, click Insert > Class Module. This step creates a new class module, which is required for handling events for multiple checkboxes. Using a class module makes it possible to respond to each checkbox being clicked individually, no matter how many checkboxes are present.

4. Find the new class module in the Properties pane (usually on the left), click it, and in the (Name) box, rename it from the default value (such as Class1) to ClsChk. Then, copy and paste the following code into the code window of this class module. See screenshot as reference:

VBA code1: Only select one checkbox per time

Option Explicit
Public WithEvents Chk As MSForms.CheckBox
Private Sub Chk_Click()
Call SelOneCheckBox(Chk)
End Sub

Sub SelOneCheckBox(Target As Object)
Dim xObj As Object
Dim I As String
Dim n As Integer
If Target.Object.Value = True Then

    I = Right(Target.Name, Len(Target.Name) - 8)
    For n = 1 To ActiveSheet.OLEObjects.Count
      If n <> Int(I) Then
        Set xObj = ActiveSheet.OLEObjects.Item(n)
        xObj.Object.Value = False
        xObj.Object.Enabled = False
      End If
    Next
Else
    I = Right(Target.Name, Len(Target.Name) - 8)
    For n = 1 To ActiveSheet.OLEObjects.Count
      If n <> Int(I) Then
        Set xObj = ActiveSheet.OLEObjects.Item(n)
        xObj.Object.Enabled = True
      End If
    Next
End If
End Sub  

5. Next, click Insert > Module to add a standard code module. Copy and paste the following code into the module window. This code will initialize and "link" all your checkboxes to the event handler defined above:

VBA code2: Only select one checkbox per time

Dim xCollection As New Collection
Public Sub ClsChk_Init()
Dim xSht As Worksheet
Dim xObj As Object
Dim xChk As ClsChk
   Set xSht = ActiveSheet
   Set xCollection = Nothing
    For Each xObj In xSht.OLEObjects
        If xObj.Name Like "CheckBox**" Then
            Set xChk = New ClsChk
            Set xChk.Chk = CallByName(xSht, xObj.Name, VbGet)
            xCollection.Add xChk
        End If
    Next
    Set xChk = Nothing
End Sub

6. Press F5 to execute the code, which activates the single-selection logic for your checkbox group. Test the behavior by checking any of the boxes; all other boxes should immediately become unchecked and disabled. Unchecking your current selection will re-enable all checkboxes so you may make a different selection.

Advantages of this method include its full automation—users cannot accidentally select multiple options. However, it only works with ActiveX controls, which may be limited by Excel version, and macros need to be enabled. Also, distributing workbooks with ActiveX controls or macros to other users might require additional security permissions.

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• How to hide checkbox when row is hidden in Excel?
• How to highlight cell or row with checkbox in Excel?
• How to create a drop down list with multiple checkboxes in Excel?
• How to insert date stamp into a cell if ticked a checkbox in Excel?