How to Create Drop Down Lists in Cells - The Complete Excel Guide

Drop-down lists in cells are great for data entry or inputs for interactive financial models.

I explain how to:
- Create the drop down list from a comma separated list.
- Create the drop down list from a range of cells.
- Use keyboard shortcuts to select items from the list.
- Copy or apply the drop down lists to other cells.
- Handle errors and invalid inputs.
- Add new data to the source range and update the list.

Compatibility: Data validation drop-down lists are available in all versions of Excel including Excel 2003, 2007, 2010, 2016, 2019, Office 365 for Windows and Excel 2011, 2016, and beyond for Mac.

The Free List Search Add-in:
Unfortunately we can't directly search the drop down lists within Excel. So I created a free add-in called List Search that allows you to search any drop down list and input the value in the cell.

It's packed with additional time saving features. Click the link below to learn more and download List Search.

Other Videos and Resources:

00:00 Introduction
00:13 How to Create Drop Down Lists in Cells
01:06 How to Create a Drop-down (Data Validation) List
01:25 Drop-down List from Comma Separated Values
01:40 Drop-down List from a Range of Values

[fairylineexo]

Your Excel videos have been the most helpful videos I've studied on YouTube!!! You make Excel so much easier to understand!! Thank you!!

[ievakurcenkovaite]

I`v been searching for excel lessons / explanations on youtube, and frankly speaking, Jon, this is the best thing that I found!

[Sprucegrove]

You get a GOLD STAR you just shown me how to do what I wanted to but could not figure out, Thanks for posting!

[MasterJP]

Got exactly what I was looking for in less than 2 minutes of the video. Thank you Jon!!!

[anwarshamim]

I work in procurement and we use excel for reports on a regular basis, your videos are incredible

[debandpete]

Great video tutorial! I just learned some of these basics (from a co-worker) on Friday, but you provided much more detailed and USEFUL information. Thanks!

[mireyacardenas]

Jon you gave very helpful and to the point information. You didn't waste 5 minutes talking about who you are, your teachings and the description next to your picture go very well with your teaching style. Thank you so much as I needed this information to finish off a project at work, I aced it :)

[dianeperkins]

Brilliant tutorial. Was stuck on my homework from college but you’ve solved it within 5 minutes. (56 years old student 😂) Thanks so much

[claudinecross]

Great tutorial!!! It was easy to follow once I brought it up on my iPad, so I could do the actual work on my laptop while watching. I could have never figured this out on my own. Thank you.

[zakinadeem]

Really admire both the presentation and communication. I hope you keep making videos like these.

[niralishahification]

love the way you explain Jon. Thank you. Need a little more help.. let me see if i can find on your other lessons... or else will connect with you by comments.

[dorothydunn]

Thanks so much Jon! I love how you teach!

[dv]

You are great! You thoroughly explained the steps and provided great instructions. You also spoke very calm, slow, and clear. THANKS A BUNCH!!!

[ninsiimacollins]

It just feels like real class.. I love the way he explains
I'm here till I feel so conversant with adversed excel. Thank you

[shellyshamsul]

Jon, you made this and all of your tutorials are so simple and easy. Thanks a lot.

[wayneedmondson]

Thanks Jon.. nice video. Always a pleasure to learn something new through your videos, tutorials and web site. Thumbs up!

[charlesalmeidalobodesouza]

In few minutes, I was able to create a Drop Down List. You rock, man!

[kamatchichandran]

It is interesting to learn extending the data validation (drop down menu) to other rows also copying the same to any cell. Adding cells to source range is also new, I have learned both from this video. Thank you.

[pchan]

Great tutorial... perfect pace, easy to follow and understand. Thank you!

[TheJoshtheboss]

I love your way of conveying information. Concise and clear. Thank you!