Excel Data Validation

Create a drop down list of items in a cell, with Excel's Data Validation feature. This will make data entry easier, and reduce input errors and typing mistakes.

Get Started with Drop Down Lists

Create a drop down list of items in a cell, with Excel's Data Validation feature. This will make data entry easier, and reduce input errors and typing mistakes.

Data Validation Basics

Data Validation Basics

Data Validation Criteria Examples

Data Validation Date Rules

This short video, shows how to set up a simple drop down list in Excel.

Dependent Drop Down Lists

Create drop down lists that depend on the value in another cell. For example, select "Fruit" in cell B2, and "apple, banana, peach" appear in the dependent drop down list in cell C2

Dependent Drop Down Tutorials

Dependent Drop Down Setup Choices

Create Simple Dependent Lists

Dependent Drop Down Lists Video

Flexible Dependent Drop Downs

Dependent Drop Downs from a Sorted List

Dependent Lists With INDEX

Dependent Lists With Tables and INDIRECT

Dependent Drop Downs from Pivot Tables

This video shows how to set up a simple dependent drop down list.

Combo Box Tutorials

To overcome the limitations of a data validation drop down list, you can add a combo box to your worksheet, and use programming to make it appear in cells that contain a data validation list

Data Validation With Combo Box

Data Validation Combo - Lists on Other Sheet

Data Validation Combo - Click

Data Validation -- Combo Box - Named Ranges

To see how the combo box works, and appears when you double-click a data validation cell, watch this short video.

More Data Validation Tricks

Data Validation Tips

Use a List from Another Workbook

Select Multiple Items from Drop Down

Add Letter Headings in Drop Down