How to create a dependent drop-down list in Excel?

This tutorial explains how to create a drop-down list based on another drop-down list in Excel, as shown in the screenshots below.

Create a dependent drop-down list by using Names

Create a dependent drop-down list by a handy tool

Easily create a dynamic 2-level or multiple-level dependent drop-down list in Excel

In Excel, to create a 2-level or multiple level drop-down list is complex. Here the Dynamic Drop-down List utility of Kutools for Excel can do you a favor. What you only to do is order the data as example shown, then select the data range and output range, then leave it to the utility.

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For example, here are some country names, and every country has its own scenic spots, and now I want to create the first drop down list about country name, and then create the second drop down list about the scenic spots, which means that, I only can choose the scenic from of the second drop down list based on the selected country in first drop down list.

1. Select the country names, go to the Name box, give a name for the range, press Enter key. See screenshot:

2. Define scenic cells of each country as named range and name with a country name. See screenshot:

3. Then select a cell you want to create the first drop down list, and click Data > Data Validation > Data Validation. See screenshot:

4. In the Data Validation dialog, under the Settings tab, choose List from the Allow section, and type =Country into the Source textbox, Country is the range name you assigned to the countries in step 1. See screenshot:

5, click OK. The first drop down list has been created.

Now to create the second drop down list.

6. Select a cell you want to create the second drop down list, click Data > Data Validation > Data Validation.

7. In the Data Validation dialog, under the Settings tab, choose List from the Allow list, and type

into the Source textbox, $A$5 is the cell you create the first drop down list in. See screenshot:

8. click OK. Now the second drop down list has been created. See screenshots:

If you want to create a dependent drop-down list more quickly and easily, the Dynamic Drop-down List of Kutools for Excel will be a good helper for you.

1. Firstly, place the original data as below screenshot shown

2. Select the data, click Kutools > Drop-down List > Dynamic Drop-down List.

3. In the popping dialog, check Mode A: 2 levels dependent Drop-down list option, and then check Horizontal placement list checkbox, and select the output range (the number of output columns must be equal to the number of columns of original data. Click Ok.

Now the dependent drop-down list has been created.