Never Scroll Again: Make ALL Excel Drop-down Lists Searchable & Auto-Pop Instantly

Tired of endless scrolling through massive Excel drop-down lists? Kutools for Excel offers a transformative solution: the Enable All Drop-down Lists to Be Searchable and Auto-Expandable feature. This isn't just a minor tweak; it fundamentally enhances how you interact with data validation lists, adding powerful search capabilities and automatic popup behavior. Let's break down why this feature is a game-changer:

Core Functionality:

• Universal Searchability: With a single click, this feature instantly enables typing-based searching within every standard data validation drop-down list across your entire workbook. As you type, the drop-down list dynamically narrows down to entries that contain your input, instead of only auto-completing the first match.
• Auto-Popup Magic: When you select a cell containing a drop-down list, the list automatically pops up without needing to click the tiny arrow button. Start typing immediately to find your entry.

How to Enable & Use the Feature?

1. First, please download and install Kutools for Excel from this web:
     https://www.extendoffice.com/download/kutools-for-excel.html

2. Make and create the drop-down list in your workbook. （Tips: To create the drop down list, you can apply the Data Validation feature in Excel or Create simple drop-down list of Kutools for Excel.）

3. Go to the Kutools tab in the Excel ribbon. And click Enable All Drop-down Lists to Be Searchable and Auto-Expandable from the Drop-down List menu, see screenshot:
    

Now, click or select any cell with data validation—the drop-down appears automatically. Begin typing keywords—Kutools will filter the list in real time, highlighting matching keywords. Use the arrow keys or mouse to select the desired item and press Enter; the chosen value populates the cell.
    

More options of this feature

1. Re-Displaying the Drop-Down List
   After selecting the item, the searchable drop-down list box will be hidden at once. To display it again, you just need to click the down arrow to expand the drop-down list box.
   
2. Move and resize the searchable drop-down list box
   • To reposition the searchable drop-down list box, place the cursor in the blank area of the list box's bottom bar, and then drag it to your desired location;
   • To resize the searchable drop-down list box, put your mouse at the bottom right corner of the list box. When the cursor changes to a double arrow, simply drag to resize the list box.
3. Keyboard Shortcuts for Searchable Drop-Down
   • Up⬆and Down⬇ key: use the Up⬆ and Down⬇ arrow in the keyboard directly to select the needed item;
   • ESC key: the current operation will not be saved and this Searchable Drop-down list box wil be hidden;
   • Enter key: the current operation will be saved and close the searchable drop-down list box;
   • Delete key: If no input in the search bar, delete selected cell content directly; if input exists, delete input characters;
   • Ctrl + Up/ Down/Left/Right key: press the Ctrl key along with the arrow keys to move the cursor up, down, left or right without closing the Searchable Drop-down list box.
4. Pin to Keep Drop-Down Always Visible
   Press down the icon to keep the Searchable drop-down list box always visible when selecting the drop-down list cells. Releasing this icon will hide the Searchable drop-down list box whenever you select the drop-down list cells.