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How to auto display a default value while deleting value in drop-down list in Excel?

Author Sun Last modified

In Excel, using Data Validation, you can create a drop-down list for users to select values. However, you might want a default value, such as “-Select-,” to appear automatically when the selected item is deleted from the drop-down cell. This article provides a step-by-step solution using VBA code.
A screenshot showing a drop-down list cell with a default value of '-Select-' in Excel

Auto display a default value while deleting value in drop-down list

Auto display a default value while deleting value in drop-down list

1. Right-click the sheet tab containing the drop-down list, then select View Code from the context menu.
A screenshot illustrating how to access the View Code option from the sheet tab context menu in Excel

2. In the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window that appears, copy and paste the code below into the script editor.

VBA: Display default value while deleting selected item in drop down list

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
Dim xObjV As Validation
On Error Resume Next
Set xObjV = Target.Validation
If xObjV.Type = xlValidateList Then
 If IsEmpty(Target.Value) Then Target.Value = "-Select-"
End If
End Sub

3. Save the code. After deleting a selected item, the default value will appear in the drop-down cell until a new item is selected.

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