How to force user to select data from a list in Excel?

In some cases, you just want the users to enter or select data from a list you specify in the sheet, are there any way to solve this task? In fact, you can create a drop down list by Excel’s Data Validation utility to force users select data from such a list.

Force users to select data from a list

arrow blue right bubble Force users to select data from a list

To force users to select data from a list, you can create a list of data you want users to select first, and then apply the Data Validation feature to create a drop down list from the data you have specified.

1. Create a list of data you need in column F.
doc force user to select from list 1

2. Select a cell or a range you want to force users to select data from a list, and click Data > Data Validation. See screenshot:
doc force user to select from list 2

3. In the Data Validation dialog, under Settings tab, choose List from Allow drop down list, and select the list you have created in step 1 to the Source textbox. See screenshot:
doc force user to select from list 3

4. Click OK. Now the users only can select data from the list, if users type other data in the cells, there is a warning dialog popping out.

doc force user to select from list 4
doc force user to select from list 5

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    tn · 13 days ago
    ah so much easier explained than other articles, thanks!