How to Make a Drop Down List in Excel

Are you trying to create something in excel, like a budget spreadsheet, that requires a drop-down menu?! Well, look no further! Here are easy instructions on how to create a drop-down menu with a list of items!

You will need Excel.

Open up a blank sheet, or one that you are already working on.

Open up a new sheet by clicking the + in the bottom left corner.

Create the list that you want to use on the new sheet that you opened. I have created a sample list on mine. To alphabetize, select your list by clicking the first item in your list, holding the left mouse button down, and dragging it to the last item in your list. Make sure you are on the home page and click sort & filter. Then choose Sort A to Z. This will put your list in alphabetic order for you!

Next, go back to sheet one and select the cells you would like to have the drop-down menu on. Then click on Data in the top menu bar, click Data Validation, then choose Data Validation. Once the Data Validation box is up as shown in the picture, under the settings tab you will want to set Allow to "List". After doing that, you will click on "Source" and then you will be able to click on the sheet that contains your list, in my case, it is Sheet 2. You will select your whole list then click "OK".

After clicking ok, you will then go back to sheet 1 to verify that the drop-down menu has been created. When you click on a cell that was chosen to have the drop-down menu, you will notice an arrow come out next to it. You click on this arrow and choose the item from your list that you want which will put your choice in that cell.