How to Create Drop Down List in Google Sheets

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This Itechguide teaches you how to create drop down list in Google Sheets. The guide covers steps to create drop down list in Google Sheets from a PC or Android.

Option 1: Create Drop Down List from a PC

Method 1: Create “List from a Range” Drop-down

To create List from Range drop-down, you use a set of data in a cell range to create your drop-down. Here are the steps…

• Open the spreadsheet you want to create the drop-down. Then, click on the cell you want to create your drop-down. In this example, the data for my drop-down is in cells A2-A4 – I want to create the drop-down in cell B2. I will click on cell click B2.

• Once the cell is selected, at the menu, click Data. Then, scroll down the displayed options and click Data validation.

• When Data validation opens, in the Criteria drop-down, ensure that List from a range is selected (default). Then, click the cell icon next to the drop-down (highlighted in red below).

• Another small pop up (Select a data range) will be displayed. Click the cell range with the data you want to use for your drop-down. In this example, I will click cells A2-A4.

• After selecting the cells with your data, click OK. You will be returned to the Data validation pop up.

• Back at the Data validation window, to create drop down list in Google Sheets, click Save. Alternatively, you can perform additional settings before saving your changes.

• The drop-down will be created in the cell. To see the drop-down options, click on the drop-down arrow.

Method 2: Create “List of Items” Drop-down

Creating a List of Items drop-down does not require existing data in any cell. You list the items you want to use in your drop-down. Here are the steps…

• Click on the cell you want to create the drop-down. Then, from the menu click Data and select Data validation. In this example, I want to create my drop-down list in cell B2.

• When the Data validation pop up window opens, click the Criteria drop-down and select List of items.

• When you select List of items, the field next to it will change and display Enter items separated by a comma. Enter your drop-down options followed by comma. See the next image…

• When you finish entering your drop-down list options, to create drop down list in Google Sheets, click Save.

• The drop-down list will be created. To view the options, click the drop-down.

Option 2: Create Drop Down List from Android App

This section covers the steps to create a drop-down list from “List from Range” and “List of Items” using the Android App.

Method 1: Create “List from a Range” Drop-down

• Open Google Sheets Android App on your phone. Then open the document you want to create a drop-down on.

• When the document opens, tap the cell you want your drop-down to be displayed. Then, at the top right of the page, tap the 3 dots. A set of options will be displayed.

• From the displayed options, tap Data validation.

• When Data validation opens, ensure that List from a range is selected in the Criteria drop-down (default is List of items).
• Then, enter the range containing your data in the Range field. You may simply enter your cell range in the format a1:a4.

• Finally, to create drop down list in Google Sheets, on the top right of the page, tap Save.

• Your drop down will be created! To view the drop-down options, tap on the cell with the drop-down. The options will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Method 2: Create “List of Items” Drop-down

• Open Google Sheets Android App on your phone. Then open the document you want to create a drop-down on.

• When the document opens, tap the cell you want your drop-down to be displayed. Then, at the top right of the page, tap the 3 dots. A set of options will be displayed.

• From the displayed options, tap Data validation.

• When Data validation opens, ensure that List of items is selected in the Criteria drop-down (default).
• Then, below List of items, tap Add. A field will open.

• Type the first item you want to appear in your drop down, then tap comma (,) on your keyboard. In this example, my first item is Primary. I typed Primary, followed by a comma (,). The word will appear in be enclosed in a kind of circle.

• To add the second, third, words, type each word followed by a comma. When you finish adding the words, tap the button beside the list.

• Finally, to create drop down list in Google Sheets, on the top right tap Save.

• The drop down list will be created! To list the drop-down options, tap the cell with the drop-down.

It is this easy to create drop down list in Google Sheets! I hope you found this guide helpful. If you did, click on “Yes” beside the “Was this page helpful” question below.

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