Create a Dynamic Dropdown List - Google Sheets

Want to learn how to create a dynamic drop down list in Google Sheets? It happens when you click a small drop down arrow in the cell and it shows you a list of choices. Then after the first selection from that drop down list will help filter another drop down list for another set of options to choose from. This is pretty easy to do by involving the named ranges, the data validation feature and the INDIRECT function.

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[JasonFinnChi]

This is a great tutorial. What if I'm trying to do this in a list - like a detailed order - so line 1 I select Fruit, my helper column shows fruits, and my Fruit column gives me fruit options. Now I want a line 2, I select vegetable as my product type. Do I need a new helper column for EACH line item in the list?

[alextodaro]

This is great Doug, thanks so much! is there a way to not have it throw an error on Category 2 when you select a new Category 1?

[brianmakowski]

This seems to be almost useless. How do you have dynamic helper cells for the second to 1000th+ row?

[hawkyardfarms]

Hey Doug, I was wondering if there was a way to create a dynamic dropdown list like this for 3 conditions. When 1 Type is selected, it would bring up a certain type of things, and then when one of those was selected, it would bring up the price of that?

[kimguenier]

Hi, This is a great tutorial. What if I'm trying to do this in a list - like a detailed order - so line 1 I select Fruit, my helper column shows fruits, and my Fruit column gives me fruit options. Now I want line 2, I select vegetable as my product type. Do I need a new helper column for EACH line item in the list?

[Steelcry]

Hello, this is very simple and easy system compared to others that I have seen. However, I can't seem to get it to work. Did they by chance change the structure of things at some point to make this option not workable? I followed everything, even did a new sheet test and everything but no luck. I was trying to do what Jaishree Garg was trying to do as well. Make it in a separate tab but I get the error too. The Error for both the test sheet which is a copy of yours basically and in a separate tab test is "Function INDIRECT parameter 1 value is 'Custom'. It is not a valid cell/range reference."

[azas]

Hallo, it seems, only working with words, not with numbers, would create an Contract software and need in category 1 numbers like 11105, 11106, 11107. Category 2 needs to choose the numbers in category 1. 11105 possible 1 or 2; 11106 possible 1, 2 3 and 4; 11107 possible 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 ans so on. I think it is only working with text

[manjr]

Very helpful!

Is there a way to get a random result from the dropdown box instead of picking from a list?

[jaishreegarg]

Hi, thanks for this. Very helpful. What happens if you have this mapping on a separate tab and you want to do the indirect formula on a different tab - i'm getting an error

[AuburnElvis]

INDIRECT causes an error when I try to link it to the dropdown box cell. Did anyone ever find a fix for this?

[TheMackizar]

I would just like to pick something from a dropdown, and have the cells next to it auto-populate with data associated with the selection.

[elitefleet]

HI IF SAY I HAVE A LIST . i WANT TO HAVE A DROP DOWN BOX WITH COLOURS ONLY IE RED AND YELLOW. CAN THIS BE DONE