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.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Microsoft Excel 2003

1. Data-Validation Menu Click in the cell into which you want to have a drop down “pick” list. Click on Data in the top menu bar, and then click on Validation. The Data Validation dialog box will appear.
2. Data Validation Box On the Settings tab, below Allow, click the down arrow and select List.
3. Source Field 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 be able select the range from the worksheet). Otherwise, you can type the items in the Source box, separating them by a comma (see example at left). When you are finished, click OK.
4. Drop Down Arrow Back in your worksheet, you will see a blank cell with a drop.
5. List Displayed When the down arrow of the box is clicked, a drop down will display whereby the user can choose the correct response.