How Do I Create a Color Drop Down Box in Excel?

You can use colored drop-down boxes in Excel.

There are many ways to create a color drop-down list in Microsoft Excel. You can insert an ActiveX control and then assign a color to the background of the control. You can configure conditional formatting so that a different color shows in the cell based on the cell's value. However, the simplest way to create a drop-down box with a colored background is to create a separate lookup list somewhere in the spreadsheet, consisting of choices for the drop-down box. Change the background color of the cells for the lookup list and then use the lookup list as the drop-down box for the selected cell.

Instructions

Create Lookup List With Background Color

1. Go to a section of unused cells in the spreadsheet.

2. Type the choices that will appear in the drop-down list. Type one choice per cell and compose a list of choices with each selection under the previous one.

3. Highlight all cells in the list and then right-click on the highlighted block of cells.

4. Click "Format Cells" from the context menu.

5. Click the "Fill" tab and then click on the desired color for the background of the lookup list (the selected cells).

6. Click "OK." The background color of the cells is set.

Add the Lookup Cells As a Drop-down Box

1. Select the cell where the drop-down options will be placed.

2. Click "Data" from the top navigation bar. Click "Validation."

3. Click the "List" option from the "Allow" drop-down list.

4. Click the "Source" icon from the top navigation bar and drag the cursor over the lookup list. Alternatively, type the range of cells defining the lookup list, such as "(=$A$1:$A$4)."

5. Tick the box next to the "In-Cell Dropdown" option and then click "OK." The lookup list now appears as a drop-down box in the selected cell.

References

• Tech On The Net: Microsoft Excel - Change the Background Color of a Cell
• Tech Republic: How to Add a Drop-Down List to an Excel Cell