Drop-down lists in Excel let you create a list of valid choices that you can select for a given field. We'll show you how to use tables, named ranges, formulas, data validation, and table styles.

Microsoft Excel can save you time in lots of little ways, like adding a drop-down list to cells so that only pre-written text can be entered.

Select where you want the drop-down list to appear. Click the Data tab and select Data Validation in the Data Tools group. A Data Validation dialog box will appear.

In the “Source” box, enter the items for your drop-down list, separated by commas, or select a range of cells that contain the items. Click “OK” to create your drop-down list.

Creating drop-down lists in your spreadsheets is a great way to ensure that only certain information is entered into a cell.

Learn how to create a drop-down list in Excel without or with color using conditional formatting and data validation rules.