HELP: Excel Experts

**Tre4ISU** · 08-25-2010, 03:26 PM

I am creating a universal order form for work. I would like to make it so there is a drop down list of choices because sometimes things get mixed up and I want others to be able to easily choose the correct option. How to I make it so a cell is a drop down list? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

**jl112481** · 08-25-2010, 03:32 PM

It's quite easy.

1. Click on Excel Help
2. Search "Drop Down List"
3. Select "Create a drop-down list from a range of cells"
4. Follow directions

**tzjung** · 08-25-2010, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by yaman3

I am creating a universal order form for work. I would like to make it so there is a drop down list of choices because sometimes things get mixed up and I want others to be able to easily choose the correct option. How to I make it so a cell is a drop down list? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

You have to use 'Cell Validation'. You can either construct a list, or reference a cell range. If you use your excel help and search for 'Validation' it should walk you through the process. Hope this helps!

**jbhtexas** · 08-25-2010, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by yaman3

I am creating a universal order form for work. I would like to make it so there is a drop down list of choices because sometimes things get mixed up and I want others to be able to easily choose the correct option. How to I make it so a cell is a drop down list? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

Put your list into cells somewhere in the worksheet.

Data Menu-->Validation
Select "List" from the "Allow: dropdown on the "Settings" tab.
Select the cells that contain your list in the "Source:" field.

If your list is in the same workbook, but on a different worksheet, I think you have to used a named range in the "Source:" field.

**Tre4ISU** · 08-25-2010, 03:36 PM

Sweet, thanks guys.

**Tre4ISU** · 08-25-2010, 03:41 PM

OK, now, is there a way to get rid of my list and keep them in the drop down box so my worksheet is a little cleaner?

Also, there will be three drop downs. The second and third ones will have options that are different depending on which you select with the first. How do I do that?

**mymanfreddie** · 08-25-2010, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by yaman3

OK, now, is there a way to get rid of my list and keep them in the drop down box so my worksheet is a little cleaner?

You can always put the list on another sheet and then hide the sheet

**rob4cy** · 08-25-2010, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by yaman3

OK, now, is there a way to get rid of my list and keep them in the drop down box so my worksheet is a little cleaner?

Just "hide" them. Highlight the rows or columns, right click, hide.

**d4nim4l** · 08-25-2010, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by mymanfreddie

You can always put the list on another sheet and then hide the sheet

Or put them in the same sheet in Row 6000 and hide the necessary rows. Just make sure your print area is set for the form though.

**IcSyU** · 08-25-2010, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by mymanfreddie

You can always put the list on another sheet and then hide the sheet

Or put them in a column off to the side of the current sheet and hide the column.

**jbhtexas** · 08-25-2010, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by yaman3

Also, there will be three drop downs. The second and third ones will have options that are different depending on which you select with the first. How do I do that?

One way is with VBA. You can program the "Change" event for the worksheet. If the Target argument passed to the event subroutine (the cell that changed) is your cell of interest, you can write the appropriate values to the other ranges based on the value of the Target cell.

There might be some way to do it with IF statements in the cells. I use VBA for most everything these days...