Chapter 1: Drop-down lists (Data Validation)
Exercise 1: Create a drop-down by typing the choices
Task
Create a drop-down in the Status column (C2:C6) so people can choose "Done", "Not started" or "On hold".
Moves 0 (target 1)5 difference(s) from the model
File
Font
Alignment
Number
Styles
Cells
A1Press and release Alt to show KeyTips (Windows). Ctrl + 1 opens Format Cells, Ctrl + Z undoes.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project | Rep | Status | |
| 2 | Acme quote | Smith | ||
| 3 | Birch invoice | Johnson | ||
| 4 | Cobalt contract | Williams | ||
| 5 | Delta order | Brown | ||
| 6 | Ember delivery | Jones | ||
| 7 | ||||
| 8 |
Create a drop-down in the Status column (C2:C6) so people can choose "Done", "Not started" or "On hold".
This drill is for computer screens. On a phone you can review the steps.
- Select C2:C6
- Data → "Data Validation" (Alt → A → V → V)
- Set Allow to "List", enter Done,Not started,On hold in Source and click OK
Key takeaway
Separate the choices with commas. The entries are always spelled the same, so nothing gets missed when you count them later.
See How to create a drop-down list in Excel for details.