How to Create a Drop-Down Box in Excel
Microsoft Excel allows you to create spreadsheets with tables, charts and filtered data. To make your spreadsheet easier for others to use, create drop-down boxes. This will help users entering data by giving them a set list of options for certain cells. Drop-down boxes are frequently used on data entry spreadsheets to make entry simpler and to prevent misspellings. This also restricts users from entering random data or leaving the cell blank.
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Instructions
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Open an existing Excel spreadsheet. You can also create a new spreadsheet by going to "File" and selecting "New" in Microsoft Excel.
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Type your desired drop-down box contents into a single row. Don't include any blank rows. Sort the data in the order you wish it to appear in the box.
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Click a blank cell where the drop-down box will appear. This can be on any blank cell in your workbook.
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Go to "Data" and select "Validation." Choose "Settings." Choose "List" from the "Allow" drop-down box.
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Enter the cell range you wish to use as your list. Start the range with the equals sign. For example, the range of cells A1 to A5 would be entered as follows: =$A$1:$A$5. You don't have to include the "$" sign, but this is recommended by Microsoft to prevent cell reference errors.
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Check the "In-cell dropdown" checkbox. Choose whether blank entries are allowed by checking or unchecking the "Ignore Blank" checkbox. Press "OK."
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Tips & Warnings
Create an input message by changing the settings on the "Input Tab."
Be sure to click a blank cell for your drop-down menu or else the drop-down box will be located over other data.
