Office for Mac Issues

How to Add Drop-Down Options to Word Content Controls on Mac

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 23, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to add selectable choices to a drop-down list content control located in the header of a Word document on a Mac.

How to Add Drop-Down Options to Word Content Controls on Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Creating or editing a form template with drop-down content controls in Word for Mac.
Observed behavior: The user is looking for a method to populate the drop-down list content control with specific choices, as Mac versions lack the native properties interface.

Before you start

Ensure the Developer tab is enabled in Word for Mac to access the necessary VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) editor.

Solution 1Recommended

Use VBA to Configure Content Controls

Since native content control UI options are limited on Mac, using VBA is the standard method to add drop-down items to your forms.

Microsoft Word for Mac does not include the Content Control Properties dialog found in the Windows version. To add options to a drop-down list content control, you must run a short VBA macro.

Enable the Developer Tab

Go to Word > Preferences > Ribbon & Toolbar, and check the 'Developer' box under the Main Tabs list to enable developer tools.

Open the VBA Editor

Click the Developer tab on the ribbon and select 'Visual Basic' to launch the VBA editor window.

Write the Macro Code

Insert a new module and write a macro that accesses the document's header. Use the `ContentControls(1).DropdownListEntries.Add` method to specify your drop-down choices.

Run the Macro

Click the 'Run' button in the VBA editor to execute the code and populate the drop-down list content control in your document header.

Mac Limitations: Once the items are added via VBA, the drop-down list will function normally for any user filling out the document on Mac or Windows.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office as Your Lightweight Alternative

Tired of dealing with complex VBA macros just to edit basic document properties on Mac? WPS Office offers a seamless, free alternative with high compatibility for Word formats, providing an intuitive interface for document creation without the frustrating workarounds.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package for macOS.
2. Install and Open: Complete the quick installation process and launch WPS Writer.
3. Edit Seamlessly: Open your existing .docx files and enjoy full format compatibility and easy document editing.

Free and lightweight office suite optimized for macOSHighly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsFamiliar, user-friendly interface requiring zero learning curve

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I edit content control properties natively in Word for Mac?

Word for Mac lacks the built-in Content Control Properties dialog found in the Windows version. This limitation requires users to rely on VBA scripts to configure settings like populating drop-down lists.

How do I ensure my VBA macro targets the document header?

In your VBA code, you must specify the header section using `ActiveDocument.Sections(1).Headers(wdHeaderFooterPrimary)` to correctly access and modify the content controls placed there.

Are legacy form fields a better option on Mac?

Legacy form fields, such as the Drop-Down Form Field, can sometimes be easier to set up on Mac because their basic properties can be accessed without VBA, although content controls offer a more modern appearance and functionality.

Office App Problems