Creating a Drop-Down List in a Cell
※ Download: Adding a drop down box in excel
Second list column B has Pregnancy Test and NA. On the lists2 spreadsheet, enter the following title for column A: Hospital Locations.
In this case, select D2 or D2:D11, if you prefer, though it's not necessary to highlight the entire column. This can be in the same sheet where your list of entries is located or in a different worksheet. It's a good idea to sort your entries in the order you want them to appear in the drop-down menu. They may be in the same or in a different worksheet.
How to Make a Yes or No Column in Excel - Enter the names of 10 doctors or other applicable items in column A from A1 through A10.
Using database software to restrict changes to data by a user is routine. However, the learning curve for programming in apps such as Microsoft Access may require more time than you have to invest as a small-business owner. Microsoft Excel has rudimentary database capabilities, and you may already be using spreadsheets in your day-to-day operations. Creating a Yes or No drop-down list in Excel uses a feature known only to some Excel users. Data validation offers a way to create drop-down lists with limited data entry options, such as Yes or No cells. While not as intuitive as some Excel programming functions, data validation is the best way to create user-friendly Excel drop-down lists without resorting to separate database apps. Using Data Validation to Create a Drop-Down Menu in Excel Creating a Yes or No column in Excel implies answering a question. Typically, this question resides in one cell, and the Yes or No drop-down is set up in the cell immediately to the right of the question. Clicking on this gives the spreadsheet user the opportunity to select Yes or No. Entries in a data-validated cell are even case sensitive. Data validation can be programmed into most desktop versions of Excel going as far back as Excel 2007. While you can't enter data validation using online or mobile versions of Excel, you can use drop-down lists created in desktop versions. Other Ways to Use Data Validation You're not restricted to lists for data-validated cells, although lists are a common use of the feature. You can set a variety of validation criteria in the Allow box. For drop-down lists with items that change, you can enter and define an Excel table in the same workbook and then refer to that table in the Source box, rather than manually entering your list. Changes to the table automatically update on your drop-down list. About the Author With degrees in Photography and Recorded Music Production, Scott spent over 20 years as an Operations Manager with Kodak before starting a second career as a freelance content creator specializing in business, accounting and tax topics. Periodicals include FIVE Magazine and Your Business for the Your Magazines Canada group and online clients include TurboTax, Office Depot, Hyundai USA and VISA.
Type a list of items you want displayed in your drop-down list. Thank you so much. Luckily, creating a drop-down menu is super easy if you know the exact steps. For example, check to see to show your updated entries. In our sample worksheet, the drop-down list provides a selection of surgeons for you to choose that matches the type of surgery scheduled. This allows you to select a product category from the main menu drop-down list box such as Beveragesthen display all the related products from the submenu dependent drop-down list box such as Apple Juice, Coffee, etc. Tab down to the Source field and click inside this box. Excel calls it Table 1, 2, 3, etc. It also shows how to create a dropdown from another workbook, edit and delete data validation lists. We entered our age ranges into cells A9 through A13 on the same worksheet, as shown below.
