Why create a drop-down list in Google Sheets?
Google Sheets allows you to create and edit sheets, shared by multiple people at a time. Since sheets are shared across departments, there are times when users might input wrong information in a particular cell. Solve this problem by creating drop-down lists, by keeping all the possible valid options a user can choose, thereby removing incorrect inputs.
How to create a drop-down list in Google Sheets?
Step 1: Open Data Validation
- Select a cell where you want to display the list.
- Navigate to the Data button in the menu bar.
- Choose Data Validation.
Step 2: Select Cell Range
- The first parameter in Data Validation is Cell Range.
- Enter the range of cells where you want to implement a drop-down list.
- Choose cell C1 to create a list only in one cell.
Step 3: Select Criteria
- The second parameter in Data Validation is Select Criteria.
- You can choose from a variety of criteria, such as a list from a range, list of items, number, text, date etc. based on your requirement.
- In the textbox adjacent to criteria, mention the range used.
- Here I have selected a List from a range as the criteria and mentioned the range from A1 to A6.
- This will include cells in the specified range inside the list only.
Step 4: Create a list
- Checkmark Show drop-down list in cell.
- A list gets created in the mentioned cell in Step 1.
- Select Show warning to detect invalid data.
- Keep the Appearance checkbox unticked.
- Select Done.
See Also
How to Split Text to Columns in Google Sheets: Learn how to create drop-down lists in Google Sheets.
How to Import a CSV File into Google Sheets: Learn how to import a CSV file into Google Sheets