How to use a drop down list in excel (A Complete Guide)

The benefit of using drop down list in excel allows users to reformat and rearrange data easily. It can be use to fill a form and provides multiple ways to maximize data entry efficiency. If you are wondering how to use a drop-down list in excel, you are at the right place.

In order to explain the use of a drop-down list here’s the simplest of example is shown to understand its usage at initial level. After reading the full article, you will definitely understand how to use a drop down list in excel. So, let’s get started.

Use drop down list via pre-defined values/text

1. Open the document to make a drop down list. Here is the example of a student form to input either they wish to go to field trip or not.

2. Click and hold on the cell C4 and drag it down to C7 to select range of cells in which you are going to apply drop down list.

3. Click on the Data tab. Ribbon panel of Data tab opens having many options.

4. Now click Validation option. A drop down menu appears.

5. Click Validation

6. A dialogue box shows up and so click drop-down menu in Allow field.

7. Click List

8. Now in Source field, hit arrow at the right of it.

9. Now go to G5, click it, hold mouse, and drag down to G7. The range is select from pre-defined values to be shown.

10. Hit Enter key. The ranges gets shown in the Source field.

11. Click Ok. The drop down list is created.

12. Now click any cell in C4 to C7 and the window looks like this.

13. Click on arrow and then click on any option from drop down menu and it will be input in the cell

Use drop down list via assigning values manually

1. Open any desired document. This is a student form to input either they wish to go to field trip or not.

2. Click and hold on the cell C4 and drag it down to C7 to select range of cells to apply drop down list.

3. Click on the Data tab. Options under it appear.

4. Now click Validation option. A drop down menu appears.

5. Click Validation

6. A dialogue box appears. Click drop down menu under Allow field.

7. Click List

8. Now in the Source field, types multiple values separated by comma as below.

9. Hit Ok. The drop down list is created.

10. Now click on any cell within C4 to C7, the drop down list arrow appears.

11. Click on it and then select on any option from drop down menu then option you choose will become input of this cell.

So this is how to use a drop down list in excel. Need to edit Word/Excel/PPT file free of charge? download WPS Office edit files like without any cost. Download now! to get enjoyable working experience.