You can create a dropdown in different ways; with a cell range, named range, table, or manually. No matter which method you use, all of them can be done using the Data Validation feature. Once you create a dropdown list, a user can choose between different options by clicking the arrow icon on the cell’s right side. So, without further delay, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how you can create one and edit the options once you create it.
How to Create a Drop-down List in Excel?
To create a drop-down, you need to have a list of values you want to display. For your convenience, you can even place the dropdown values in a separate worksheet and refer to cells from your worksheet. Here’s how to do it.
How to Edit the Dropdown List Options?
Once you have a dropdown list, you can add/remove options inside it anytime later. However, you should have access to the worksheet containing those values. Also, it depends on what type of dropdown list you are using. For instance, if you are using a dropdown inside an Excel table, you can enter the new value at the end of the table, and the dropdown options are automatically updated. Likewise, if you want to delete an option, select the cell and press the Delete key. On the other hand, you have to update the selection of the cells manually for the dropdown list using cell range or named range.
For Cell Range
For Named Range
How to Display an Error Message if the User Enters an Invalid/Custom Value?
By default, Excel doesn’t display any error even if someone starts typing a custom value on the dropdown cell. However, you can alert them with an error message to prevent it. Additionally, you can pre-inform the user about the type of values they are expected to enter with the help of a display message.
Related Questions
How to Create a Searchable Drop-down List?
The dropdown is supposed to help the user input an option quickly. However, when you have too many options, you have to manually scroll to search and select the preferred option from the list. Once you start typing on the searchable dropdown list, Excel autocompletes options that match or contain parts of your search keywords. Then, you simply select the correct one. If you use Excel online, the dropdown is already made searchable. However, on the Desktop version, only a particular group of people who are part of the Office Insider beta channel have access to this feature as of now. For those who don’t have it, you need to create a formula with functions like FILTER and SEARCH to create a searchable dropdown list.
