Excel Tutorials: How to Creating a Drop Down List in Excel 2007

A drop down list allows you to enter data into an Excel spreadsheet from a preset list of entries. This can be done to make data entry easier or to limit the number of acceptable choices.

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Example: Creating a drop down list in Excel 2007

Note: For help with this example, see the image to the right..

1. Enter the following data into cells:
   
   A1 - Gingerbread
   A2 - Lemon
   A3 - Oatmeal Raisin
   A4 - Chocolate Chip
   E1 - The Cookie Shop
   D2 - Cookie Type:
   
   
   
2. Click on cell E2 - the location where the results will be displayed.
   
   
3. Click on the Data tab.
   
   
4. Click on the Data Validation option from the ribbon to open the menu.
   
   
5. Click on the Data Validation in the menu to bring up the dialog box.
   
   
6. Click on Settings tab in the dialog box.
   
   
7. From the Allow menu choose List.
   
   
8. Click on the Source line in the dialog box.
   
   
9. Drag select cells A1 - A4 in the spreadsheet.
   
   
10. Click OK in the dialog box.
    
    
11. A down arrow should appear next to cell E2.
    
    
12. When you click on the arrow the drop down list should open to display the four cookie names.

A drop down list allows you to enter data into an Excel spreadsheet from a preset list of entries.


This article covers creating a drop down list on a different worksheet.

Example: Creating a drop down list with data on a different worksheet

Note: For help with this example, see the image to the right.

1. Enter the following data into the correct cells on Sheet 1 or a worksheet:
   
   E1 - The Cookie Shop
   D2 - Cookie Type:
   
   
2. Click on the Sheet tab for Sheet 2.
   
   
3. Enter the following data into the correct cells on Sheet 2 or a worksheet:
   
   A1 - Gingerbread
   A2 - Lemon
   A3 - Oatmeal Raisin
   A4 - Chocolate Chip
   
   
4. Drag select cells A1 - A4 on Sheet 2.
   
   
5. Type "cookies" (no quotes) in the Name Box and press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
   
   
6. Click on the Sheet tab for Sheet 1.
   
   
7. Click on cell E2 - the location where the results will be displayed.
   
   
8. Click on the Data tab.
   
   
9. Click on the Data Validation option from the ribbon to open the menu.
   
   
10. Click on the Data Validation in the menu to bring up the dialog box.
    
    
11. Click on Settings tab in the dialog box.
    
    
12. From the Allow menu choose List.
    
    
13. Type "=cookies" (no quotes) on the Source line in the dialog box.
    
    
14. Click OK in the dialog box.
    
    
15. A down arrow should appear next to cell E2.
    
    
16. When you click on the arrow the drop down list should open to display the four cookie names.