Make a Drop-Down List in Excel

Ann K. Emery

Last updated:

Sep 2nd, 2025

Related resources:

Before/After Data Visualization Makeovers, Data Validation, Drop-Down List, Microsoft Excel, YouTube Videos

Are you typing data directly into Excel?

(Rather than exporting it from a database?)

If so, drop-down lists can save time and reduce typos.

Here’s how to make them in Excel with a feature called Data Validation:

More about Ann K. Emery
Ann K. Emery is a sought-after speaker who is determined to get your data out of spreadsheets and into stakeholders’ hands. Each year, she leads more than 100 workshops, webinars, and keynotes for thousands of people around the globe. Her design consultancy also overhauls graphs, publications, and slideshows with the goal of making technical information easier to understand for non-technical audiences.

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