How to create a drop-down menu in Excel

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

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

1. In the spreadsheet, select the cell where you'd like to create a drop-down list.
2. In the Excel Ribbon, click the Data tab.
3. On the Data tab, click the Data Validation option.
4. In the Data Validation window, click the Allow drop-down list and select the List option.
5. Click in the Source field, then select the range of cells containing the values you want to display in the new drop-down list.

• How to select one or more cells in a spreadsheet program.

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

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

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

1. In the spreadsheet, select the cell to contain the drop-down list.
2. In the Excel Ribbon, click the Data tab.
3. On the Data tab, click the Data Validation option.
4. In the Data Validation window, click the Allow drop-down list and select the List option.
5. 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.

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