You can see that even though the list range $C$127:$C$133 includes two blank cells, the drop-down only extends to row 131 (the last text value in the Categories column). Instead, you can create a dynamic range that extends the list to the last value in the range. To allow for a variable number of items within the Source range, you could use a very large range like =$A$1:$A$1000, but the drop-down would end up having a crazy amount of blanks. I like creating templates that allow a person to customize lists, such as meals for a Meal Planner or accounts for an Account Register or products for a PO with Price List. Instead, if you only want to copy and paste the drop-down list (and not formulas or formatting), then after copying the cell, use Paste Special and select the Validation option as shown in the image.Ĭustomizable Drop Down Lists Using Dynamic Ranges When you copy and paste cells, the data validation will also be pasted, but you can't use the Format Painter to copy and paste data validation. Copying and Pasting Drop-Down Lists in Excel Using a relative reference is important when creating dependent lists which will be shown a little later in this article. This makes it easy to create other checkbox examples by just copying the cells to the right. In the example above, the drop-downs use a relative reference in the Source field (no $ signs in the reference). However, there may be times when you want the drop-down Source to change when you copy and paste the cell. Usually, you will use absolute references like $C$76:$C$77 for the Source in your drop-down list. So, if you want a blank value as an option, use a reference to a range as in the examples below. Including a Blank Value and Using Relative ReferencesĪn in-cell drop down will ignore blanks if you enter text manually into the Source field (like " ,Yes,No"). This example comes from the Feature Comparison template. The Source field is just "☐,√" (without the quotes).Įxample 2: Choose a Star Rating using a Drop Down Menuįor a star rating, you can use "★★★★★,★★★★,★★★,★★,★" in the Source field. This example comes from one of my Task List templates. Example 1: Using a Drop Down List to create a Checkbox field Also, when using a touch screen device, I think the drop-down checkbox is easier and more fun to use than entering an "X". Important: One of the main reasons I like to use checkbox-style drop-down lists is for compatibility and ease-of-use with Excel Online and the mobile Excel apps (Form Field checkboxes don't work in Excel Online or mobile apps). What I think is awesome, though, is using Unicode Character Symbols to do fun things with drop-down lists, such as star-ratings using ★ or checkboxes using the characters √, ✔, ☐, ☑ or ☒. This means that you can't show different colors and fonts within the drop-down list. The font used in the drop-down list cannot be changed, so it is always just a black sans serif font. Check Boxes and Star Ratings with Excel Drop-Down Lists If you're thinking of getting fancy and want to define a name without a cell reference such as =, the drop-down list won't work.Īnother bit of trivia: In old versions of Excel, using a named range was the only way for a drop-down list to reference a range on a different worksheet. Note: When using a named range for a data validation list, the named range must be defined as a reference to a range of cells, or it must be a formula like OFFSET or INDIRECT or INDEX that returns a reference. Why? If you want to change the range, you only need to edit the defined name (via Formulas > Name Manager) rather than finding and editing all cells that use that particular data validation. You could use a reference for the Source field like =Sheet2!$A$1:$A$3, but I usually prefer to name the list. In the data validation dialog box, instead of entering the list manually, you enter a reference to the named range in the Source field as shown below: You can later hide the worksheet containing your list to keep your workbook looking nice and clean or to prevent a user from changing the list. In this case, I've named the range "myList". For example, let's say I have a separate worksheet with my list defined in cells A1:A3 as shown below. Instead of manually entering the list of items in the data validation dialog box, you can reference a range of cells. The more elegant approach is to use a reference to a range, or even better than that - a named range.
#INSERT CALENDAR DROP DOWN IN EXCEL 2016 UPDATE#
The problem with this approach is that if you use this in a lot of cells and later want to update the list, you have to update all cells that use the list and there is a good chance you'll miss one. This approach is great for simple Yes/No options and other lists that appear only once in your spreadsheet. Entering the Source of a Drop Down List as a Comma-Delimited List
0 kommentar(er)
