How to Create a Drop-Down List in an Excel Cell

Providing a drop-down pick list of suitable responses ensures consistency in data. Learn how to create a drop-down list to click on the desired response and have it automatically inserted into the cell.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Excel 2003

1. Click in the cell that you want to have a drop-down "pick" list. Select the "Data" tab. In the Data Tools group, click "Data Validation." The Data Validation dialog box appears.

2. Select the "Settings" tab. In the Allow box, select "List."

3. If you have the items typed in a range (one word per cell, either across or down) and in the same worksheet, then enter the range in the Source box (or click the icon to select the range from the worksheet). Alternatively, type the items in the Source box, separating them by a comma. When you are finished, click "OK."

4. Navigate to your worksheet. You will see a blank cell with a drop-down arrow. When you click the drop-down arrow of the box, a drop-down will display where you can select the desired response.

References

• Microsoft Office: Create or Remove a Drop-down List