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How to create a dependent drop down list in Google Sheets?

Author Xiaoyang Last modified

Inserting a normal drop-down list in Google Sheets may be simple for you, but sometimes, you may need to create a dependent drop-down list, where the second list depends on the selection in the first list. How could you deal with this task in Google Sheets?

Create a dependent drop down list in Google Sheets

Create a dependent drop down list in Google Sheets

Follow these steps to create a dependent drop-down list in Google Sheets:

1. First, you should insert the basic drop down list, please select a cell where you want to put the first drop down list, and then click Data > Data validation, see screenshot:

A screenshot showing how to access the Data validation option in Google Sheets

2. In the popped out Data validation dialog box, select List from a range from the drop down list beside the Criteria section, and then click A screenshot showing the button to select a cell range for the drop-down list in Google Sheets button to select the cell values which you want to create the first drop down list based on, see screenshot:

A screenshot of the Data validation dialog box for creating the first drop-down list in Google Sheets

3. Then click Save button, the first drop down list has been created. Choose one item from the created drop down list, and then enter this formula: =arrayformula(if(F1=A1,A2:A7,if(F1=B1,B2:B6,if(F1=C1,C2:C7,"")))) into a blank cell which adjacent the data columns, then press Enter key, all the matching values based on the first drop down list item have been displayed at once, see screenshot:

Note: In the above formula: F1 is the first drop down list cell, A1, B1 and C1 are the items of the first drop down list, A2:A7, B2:B6 and C2:C7 are the cell values which the second drop down list based on. You can change them to your own.

A screenshot showing matching values displayed using an array formula in Google Sheets

4. And then you can create the second dependent drop down list, click a cell where you want to put the second drop down list, and then click Data > Data validation to go to the Data validation dialog box, choose List from a range from the drop down beside the Criteria section, and go on clicking the button to select the formula cells which are the matching results of the first drop down item, see screenshot:

A screenshot showing the Data validation dialog box for the second dependent drop-down list

5. At last, click Save button, and the second dependent drop down list has been created successfully as the following screenshot shown:

A screenshot of a completed dependent drop-down list in Google Sheets

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