If you are new to Excel, you will want to know how to create a dropdown list in your spreadsheet. There are a couple of ways to do this. You can create your own by hand, or you can use a template. Whatever you choose, make sure you are following the rules and formatting instructions to ensure your data looks professional.
Clear dependent drop-down lists in Excel when the selection is changed
The following article will provide a simple method for clearing dependent drop-down lists in Excel when the selection is changed. These are a type of form control that forces the user to input information correctly. This is done by presenting a short list of top choices followed by the option to select from that list. Typically, these are displayed in the form of an Excel Table. Unlike a normal table, each drop-down is dynamic and updates with unique values.
First, you must choose a cell that will host the preliminary drop-down list. It would be best if you also gave it a meaningful name. For example, if you want a main drop-down list in cell A2, you may want to give it a name like Fruit.
Next, you must create a dependent list with the same name as the main list. If you want the main drop-down list to be a fruit, you might want to use the name lemon. Or, if you’re creating a list of Vegetables, you might want to use the name yellow & orange.
Finally, it would be best if you used the correct cell references. In this case, you’ll need to include the $ sign in the reference, as well as the column number. Remember that you’ll need to update other sheets separately if you want to change the source of the drop-down list. However, you can do this in the Data Validation menu. It will only apply to dropdowns in the current sheet, so you might want to clear the data validation if you’re planning to update the drop-down lists in other sheets.
One of the most valuable features of Excel is the Data Validation function. When you click on the button, the box will display several options. There are two that are of particular interest to you, one that is a data validation formula and the other that will automatically clear the dependent drop-down lists when the selection is changed.
The first is the IF formula. It’s a great way to check the source of the dependent drop-down lists. Using the IF function, you can show a dependent drop-down based on a range of cells. Specifically, you can display a drop-down arrow in the selected cell, but it won’t work if the selection doesn’t match the range. Similarly, you can show a message in the empty cell, but it won’t function if you don’t use the corresponding IF formula.
Finally, you can add conditional formatting to your spreadsheet to highlight mismatched cells. Adding this will allow you to easily delete rogue blanks or shift the cell up or down as desired. Also, it might help you remove the other, more complex, data validation formulas from your spreadsheet.
Show an error alert after invalid data is entered.
When creating a dropdown list in Excel, it’s possible to display an error message if invalid data is entered. This message can be customized and explain why the information is invalid. You can also leave the value in the cell or delete it.
Creating a dropdown list starts by selecting a cell. Once you’ve chosen the cell, it will display a pop-up window that allows you to select items. For example, you might want to have a bill tracker that has a dropdown box for bill types. Then you can add data in the column and a title to the cell.
To create a custom error message, go to the Error Alert tab. There you can choose the style of the message and the text that will be used. It can be a warning, a yes/no, or a stop. Select the style you prefer and click OK.
If you don’t want to display an alert when invalid data is entered, check the “Do not show error alert after invalid data is entered” box. By default, the box will be checked. However, you can uncheck this box if you don’t want to receive an alert.
To prevent unauthorized entries, you can lock cells. Locking a cell is a great way to ensure you are not entering the wrong value. Similarly, you can configure your data validation to allow only specific entries to be made. In the data validation dialogue box, you can edit the range of cells you will accept from the dropdown. Alternatively, copy the dropdown menu from one cell and paste it in another.
The Input Message tab, located at the top of the Data Validation window, will pop up a message when you select the dropdown list. Input messages appear each time you enter a cell. You can enter a message of up to 255 characters.
After entering the input message, it will appear on a yellow pop-up sticky note. A blue “i” icon will indicate that the message is available for selection. The height of the box will be fixed. Click the dropdown to select the item. You can then click the Cancel button to remove the entry.
To remove an invalid entry, you can either click the Cancel button, which will keep the pointer on the cell with the invalid data, or remove the value by clicking the OK button. If the value is already deleted, you will be returned to the original content.
If you need to enter non-list items, you can use the Information option. This alerts you of the items in the list that you don’t want. These items will be displayed in bold text.
Protect your drop-down list
If you are creating a dropdown list in Excel, you will need to ensure your list is protected. This will prevent users from entering invalid data into the cell. There are many ways to protect a sheet in Excel, including locking the cells, protecting the sheet with a password, and hiding the cells. These methods may vary depending on the version of Excel that you use. However, using the Data tab and the Data validation menu will help you protect your list.
The Data validation menu is a set of options that will change all cells in your worksheet. You can allow dropdowns, lock a cell, or show an error message if the data is invalid. Also, you can choose to have the error message be custom.
A dropdown box is a drop-down menu created by referencing a named range in your spreadsheet. This makes it easier for you to enter the list of items. For instance, you can create a chart with a dropdown list of numbers and then have the range update automatically. It is also possible to add dropdown lists to your worksheet without referencing a range.
When you select a dropdown list, you will see a pop-up message. You can customize the message with a title. The title will appear on a yellow sticky note that you can click. The default text for the title will be Microsoft Excel’s generic error template. But you can also edit the text if you want.
An Excel combo box is a type of editable dropdown. You can also copy this type of box. Just like any other cell content, you can copy the dropdown item and insert it in another cell. Select the cell that contains the dropdown and click the ctrl/cmd + v key to paste the menu.
One of the easiest ways to protect a dropdown list is using the Data tab. Using the Data tab will allow you to protect a sheet in Excel. Moreover, you can hide a sheet or pass an entire worksheet to another user. Another option is to protect the source of the dropdown list. That means that the data for the list can be on a different sheet. By doing so, you can easily protect the source of the list, which can be challenging to do otherwise.
Other ways to protect a dropdown list include setting up the dropdown as an input box. This means that the data must be entered in a cell that is consecutive with the cell that contains the dropdown. In addition, the input box must have the Allow: dropdown option. Once you click this option, the cell that contains the dropdown will display a warning if the user attempts to enter a value that is not contained in the dropdown.