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To remove a drop-down list in Excel, select the cell or cells, go to Data > Data Validation, choose Clear All on the Settings tab, and select OK. This removes the data-validation rule that creates the list; it is separate from deleting the cell’s existing value.
Remove a drop-down list from one cell
- Select the cell containing the drop-down list.
- Open Data > Data Validation.
- On the Settings tab, select Clear All.
- Select OK.
The rule that supplied the drop-down is removed. Microsoft documents this procedure for Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2024, Excel 2021, Excel 2019, and Excel 2016 on Windows and Mac, as well as Excel for the web. Microsoft’s instructions for removing a drop-down list provide the platform details.
Remove drop-down lists from multiple cells
Select cells whose locations you know
Select the cells together before opening Data Validation. In Excel, you can Ctrl+left-click individual cells to add them to the selection. Then use Data > Data Validation > Settings > Clear All > OK to clear their validation rules.
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Use Ctrl+G > Special > Data Validation, then choose All to select cells with any data-validation rule, or Same to select cells with the same validation settings as the active cell. After Excel selects the cells, open Data Validation and choose Clear All, then OK. You can also use Home > Find & Select > Data Validation to locate cells that have validation. See Microsoft’s overview of data validation.
Remove the list or change its choices?
Use Clear All when the cell should no longer have a drop-down rule. If you want to keep the drop-down but change its options, edit the list’s source instead. Excel lists can draw choices from several kinds of sources:
- Comma-separated values: edit the items in the Data Validation source field.
- Cell range: change the entries in the referenced cells or update the range reference.
- Named range: edit the range or source reference used by the name.
- Table column: add or remove items in the table; a table-based drop-down can update as its items change.
Microsoft explains these source types and how to manage their entries in its guide to adding or removing drop-down items.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If Data Validation settings are unavailable
Check whether the worksheet is protected or the workbook is shared. Microsoft says those conditions prevent changes to data-validation settings. If you have permission, remove the relevant protection or sharing restriction, then try the clearing steps again. See Microsoft’s guidance on applying data validation.
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