how to insert drop down list in google sheets

List from a range: When selected, a drop-down list containing values retrieved from a specific cell range (from the active sheet or another sheet in the current workbook) appears.Each option dictates specific data requirements that the spreadsheet's user must follow when entering or selecting an item in or from the cell range. Want more? Check out all the Google Sheets Tutorials.The Criteria setting contains a drop-down menu that offers the following options. In this tutorial, I covered how to create drop-down list in google sheets with color. Now when you select list items from the drop-down, the cells will automatically format based on the conditional formatting rulesĮxample Spreadsheet: Make a copy of the example spreadsheet To add more rules for each list item, click Add Another Rule and repeat Steps 2-3 as many times as needed In the Conditional Format Rules sidebar, under Format Cells If…, select the Text is Exactly option, and type the exact text used for the first drop-down list itemĬhoose formatting options from the Format Style section, then click Done to apply the rule Select the same range you added drop-downs to and open the Format menu, then choose Conditional Formatting Once you have the drop-down lists set up, color code the list items by following these steps: Step 1 Click on the cell to open the list and select an option The selected cells will now display a downward pointing triangle to show they contain drop-downs. Be sure to include dollar signs to make the reference absoluteĮnsure the box for Show Dropdown List In Cell is checked, and choose if you want to allow users to enter values not in the list (it’s recommended to reject invalid input unless you have a reason not to). You can also use the Select Data Range button in the text field to choose the range. To use the List from Range option, type the range reference in the text field beside the criteria type drop-down. To use the List of Items option, type the desired list items into the text field beside it, separated by commas

The two options that will display as drop-downs are List from Range and List from Items

In the Data Validation popup, choose the data validation criteria you want to use. Select a cell or range to add drop-downs to and open the Data menu, then select Data Validation Here’s how to add them to your spreadsheet: Step 1

Users can click on the cell to open the menu and easily select an option. Drop-down lists are essentially menus located in the cells of the spreadsheet.

How to insert drop down list in google sheets