If you don’t want a message to pop up, uncheck the box. If you’d like a message to pop up when the drop-down cell is clicked to give instructions, check the Show input message when cell is selected box. If it’s permissible to leave cells empty, check the Ignore blank box.In the Source box, select your list range by clicking into the worksheet and selecting the group of cells containing the items required for the drop-down list by holding down the shift key.On the Settings tab (the default tab that appears first), in the Allow box, click List.Go to the Data tab on the ribbon at the top of the screen, then select Data Validation.In a different worksheet or somewhere else within the current worksheet, select the cell(s) that will function as the drop-down list.For this example, we’ll use students’ favorite candy. In a new worksheet, list the entries you want to appear in the drop-down list.Validating data based on formulas or values in other cells.Restricting times outside a certain time frame.Restricting dates outside a certain time frame.Restricting numbers outside a specific range.Restricting entries to predefined items in a list.It allows users to set parameters around numbers, dates, and text to prevent inputting errors.Īmong other things, data validation is used for the following: Within Excel (and also Google Sheets,) it’s a feature that restricts the type of data or the values that users enter into a cell. In computing, data validation is the process of ensuring the accuracy and quality of data. Can I make multiple selections within the drop-down list?.Can I add color formatting to my drop-down list?.Why is the data validation option greyed out or disabled?.

Can I make a drop-down list without listing the values in the spreadsheet?.

Color coding drop down list in excel