Create an in-cell dropdown list of acceptable values (Excel 2000/2003/2007)

Just about everyone has created a worksheet that would benefit from using predefined dropdown lists of valid values. For instance, you might want to provide a dropdown list of department codes to ensure that a form is accurately completed. Fortunately, it's easy to create such a dropdown list using the Data Validation feature.

To demonstrate with a blank Excel worksheet, enter the label Sales Reps in cell A1 and then select range A2:A10. Next, choose Data | Validation from the menu bar. (In 2007, go to the Data tab and click on the Data Validation button in the Data Tools group.) Then, choose List from the Allow dropdown list. In the Source text box, enter the values you want to appear in the list, separated by commas, such as:

Jed, Bill, Liza

Finally, click OK. When you select any of the cell in the range A2:A10, a dropdown arrow appears next to it. Click the arrow and Excel provides the list of accepted names.