Creating drop down list in Excel 2013 using data validation

Validating your data while entering data into the cell helps you to prevent unnecessary/invalid data in the input cell. Excel 2013 provides great tools to ensure the validation of input data in a given cell.

Drop-down lists or combo boxes helps in picking up a value from a valid list to enter in a cell.

Let's learn to create drop down list in Excel with the help of an example:

• Creating a drop down menu list using Data Validation
• Inserting an "Input message" tab using Data Validation
• Inserting an "Error alert" tab using Data Validation

1. Create a separate list of data items which we need for the drop-down

2. Select a cell where the drop down list is required

Go to:  “DATA” tab in ribbon >> Data Validation button >>> Data Validation [Shortcut: Alt+AVV]

3. In the Data Validation dialog box, go to settings and select "List" from the drop down menu

Ensure that "In-cell dropdown"  button is checked. Also, check "Ignore blank" if you want to allow blank entries.

4. You can manually enter the range which you require in drop-down list OR can give cell reference in the "Source" field

5. Press "OK"

Inserting an "Input message" tab using Data Validation

The input message provides the information regarding the valid input data to the user when the cell containing the drop-down is selected.

• In the Data Validation dialog box, go to "Input Message" tab
• Enter the required title and input message that you want to populate (ensure that "Show input message when cell is selected" is checked)

Inserting an "Error alert" tab using Data Validation

Error alert populates when any invalid data is entered into the cell by the user.

• In the Data Validation dialog box, go to "Error Alert" tab
• Select the error symbol from "Style" drop-down
• Enter the required title and error message that you want to populate when error occurs (when the data entered in the input cell is different from the validation list)