How to insert drop down list in Excel?

Inserting drop-down list is a frequently-used operation while working in Microsoft Excel. This article will show you detailed steps for inserting a drop-down list in selected cells in Excel.

Insert drop-down list in Excel

You may interest in:

Easily batch insert checkboxes or option buttons in selection in Excel

You can easily insert multiple checkboxes or option buttons in a selection in Excel as below screenshot shown

Go to Download
Free Trial 60 daysPurchase
PayPal / MyCommerce

arrow blue right bubble Insert drop-down list in Excel

1. Create a list of data that you want to use in the drop down list.

2. Select a range of cells you need to locate the drop down list.

3. Then click Data > Data Validation > Data Validation. See screenshot:

4. In the popping up Data Validation dialog box, you need to do as follows:

4.1 Select List from the Allow drop down list under the Settings tab.

4.2 Click the doc-replace-range-names-7 button to select the list of data you have created in step 1. Click the OK button to finish the setting.

Now the drop down list is creared and located in the cells you have selected in step 2. See screenshot:

Note: the drop-down arrow is visible only when the cell is active.

arrow blue right bubbleRelated articles:

 

Recommended Productivity Tools

Office Tab

gold star1 Bring handy tabs to Excel and other Office software, just like Chrome, Firefox and new Internet Explorer.

Kutools for Excel

gold star1 Amazing! Increase your productivity in 5 minutes. Don't need any special skills, save two hours every day!

gold star1 200 New Features for Excel, Make Excel Much Easy and Powerful:

  • Merge Cell/Rows/Columns without Losing Data.
  • Combine and Consolidate Multiple Sheets and Workbooks.
  • Compare Ranges, Copy Multiple Ranges, Convert Text to Date, Unit and Currency Conversion.
  • Count by Colors, Paging Subtotals, Advanced Sort and Super Filter,
  • More Select/Insert/Delete/Text/Format/Link/Comment/Workbooks/Worksheets Tools...

Screen shot of Kutools for Excel

btn read more btn download btn purchase

fShare
Pin It

Comments  

Permalink +5 Web Guy
Thanks for this informative post, just what I was looking for :lol:
2013-12-03 14:56 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink +1 Christine M
Thanks! This was what I needed, as well. Steps were very simple.
2014-02-26 19:07 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink +2 Amy
When I did this in my 2013 version (the one on my laptop) it worked, but when I brought it into the office (office computer using 2007), it did not work. Any help on how to make it work on both seamlessly?
2014-04-07 11:34 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink +1 Amy
Any way to make this work on both 2013 and 2007?

I created an excel file on my 2013 laptop and need to use the file on my 2007 desktop at work. How do I set it up so it works seamlessly on both?

Thanks,
Amy
2014-04-07 11:36 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink 0 Kakaire Charles
Just too wonderful-as simple as it is. I am excited!!! Thanx a lot.
2014-06-28 09:36 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink 0 Abegga
Generous!!! Thanks a lot!
2014-07-18 10:38 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink 0 danny
I am most grateful, thanks
2014-10-06 12:24 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink 0 Stark
Thank you :)it helped a lot
2014-10-13 15:11 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink 0 Swanlake
Great thanks! Now I'm looking to add a macro (linked to button)dependin g on the selection of the item on the menu...does anyone know what the syntax is for the drop down menu items?
2014-10-15 13:22 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink +1 Laura Lee
After I have created my drop down box with a description of different types of equipment, can I have in another column (a rate for each piece of equipment) automatically generate. If so can you please let me know how to do this.
2014-10-16 15:35 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink +1 Accountant
How do I create a drop downlist with a Description that is different than my returned value?

For Example: Description in List is - "ABG Interests"
But I only want to return - "ABG" to the Cell

Thanks
2015-04-26 00:58 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink +1 Sunil
That's good example.... :P
2015-06-24 13:01 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink +1 Jules
I was able to follow these steps and create a drop down list, however, when I save and exit, the next time I open the spreadsheet the drop down list is no longer there. How do I get it to save?
2015-07-16 14:57 Reply Reply with quote Quote
Permalink 0 Tom
Perfect! Simple screen shots made building the drop down easy.
2016-04-05 16:55 Reply Reply with quote Quote

Add comment

Security code
Refresh