There are many reasons why one would want to create a drop-down list in MS Excel, but mostly I think, because it makes your data entry much easier and you can limit the entries to certain items that you can determine.
You can create a drop-down list of entries that is compiled from cells elsewhere on your worksheet and when you create the drop-down list, it will display a drop-down arrow next to that cell. When you want to select an item from that list, you can simply use the drop-down arrow and click the item that you want.
To create a drop-down list in MS Excel 2003, follow the steps below:
- Use a single column or row without blank cells to create your valid entries for your drop-down list.
- Make sure that you have sorted the list in the order in which you would like it to appear in your list.
You can use another worksheet or workbook if you like. To use a different worksheet in the same workbook:
- Type the list on that worksheet.
- Define a name, such as classes.
- Select the range of cells.
- Click the Name box at the left end of the Formula Bar.
- Type the name for the cells.
- Click Enter.
Pretty simple to do and it looks so very professional and is very helpful to boot!