How do I create an interactive drop-down list in Excel?

Need to add a drop-down list to your spreadsheet? This can be useful for forms, tracking sheets, and more.

The simplest way to create a drop-down list in Excel 2013/2016 involves listing the choices in a dialog box. This method works best if you are going to create just a few cells with drop-down lists, because in order to change the choices you would have to modify every cell where it appears. But for simple situations, its a great method.

Follow the steps in the video above, or:

1. From theDATA tab, selectData Validation.
2. ClickData Validation in the drop-down list.
3. In the dialog box, selectList from theAllow drop-down menu.
4. In the source field, type the choices youd like your drop down menu to include, separated by commas. [Note: leave Ignore blank checked if you want blank cells to be allowed.]
5. ClickOK.

Now, spreadsheet users will be prompted to select from the drop-down menuwhen entering data into that cell. Copy the empty box to other cells to include the drop-down menu there.