A drop-down list is a feature often found on web pages and electronic forms where users enter data to create an account, fill out a survey, or purchase products. In Microsoft Excel, a drop-down list can be created from data contained in the Excel spreadsheet and used for many purposes. Click a link below for the type of drop-down list you want to create in your Excel spreadsheet.

Create a drop-down list using existing data

If you want to create and insert a drop-down list using data already entered in the spreadsheet, follow the steps below.

  • Create a drop-down list using existing data.

  • Create a drop-down list by defining the list of values.

  • In the spreadsheet, select the cell where you’d like to create a drop-down list.

  • In the Excel Ribbon, click the Data tab.

  • On the Data tab, click the Data Validation option.

  • In the Data Validation window, click the Allow drop-down list and select the List option.

  • Click in the Source field, then select the range of cells containing the values you want to display in the new drop-down list.

  • Click the OK button to create the drop-down list.

The order of the values in the selected range of cells is the same as in the drop-down list.

Create a drop-down list by defining the list of values

If you want to create and insert a drop-down list, and define the list of values to display, follow the steps below.

  • In the spreadsheet, select the cell to contain the drop-down list.
  • In the Excel Ribbon, click the Data tab.
  • On the Data tab, click the Data Validation option.
  • In the Data Validation window, click the Allow drop-down list and select the List option.
  • Click in the Source field, then type the values you want to display in the drop-down list. Separate each value you enter with a comma.

It may be best to create a list of values in a second worksheet, allowing you to hide it later by hiding the worksheet.

The order of the values in the Source field is the order those values appear in the drop-down list.

  • How to select one or more cells in a spreadsheet program.
  • Quickly scroll to an item in a list or drop-down.
  • How to start a new line in a spreadsheet cell.
  • How to create a spreadsheet.
  • Microsoft Excel keyboard shortcuts.
  • Help, examples, and information on Excel formulas.
  • Microsoft Excel help and support.