1. Select the cell: Choose the cell where you want the drop-down list to appear.
2. Go to the Data tab: Click on the "Data" tab in the Excel ribbon.
3. Click Data Validation: Locate the "Data Validation" option within the Data tab and click on it.
4. Settings tab: In the "Data Validation" window that pops up, ensure the "Settings" tab is active (it should be by default).
5. Allow: List: Under the "Allow" dropdown menu, select "List". This tells Excel you want to create a list for the cell.
6. Source: There are two ways to define the list items for your drop-down:
* **Type the list directly:** In the "Source" field, you can type your list items separated by commas. For example, if your options are "Apple", "Banana", and "Orange", you would type "Apple,Banana,Orange".
* **Select a range:** If your list items are already in a separate location on your worksheet, click the small box next to the "Source" field. This will open a window where you can select the range of cells containing your list items. Click and drag to select the entire range, then click OK.
7. Ignore blank (optional): If you want to allow the cell to be left empty and not force a selection from the list, check the box next to "Ignore blank".
8. Click OK: Click "OK" to close the "Data Validation" window.
Now you have a functional drop-down list in your chosen cell. Clicking on the small down arrow will display the list items you defined, allowing you to select the desired option.
Additional Tips:
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You can edit the list items later by going back to the "Data Validation" window and modifying the "Source" field.
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By using a named range for your list items (instead of typing them directly in the "Source" field), you can easily update the list in one place and have the changes reflected in all the drop-down lists that use that named range.