Opening the Data Validation Dialog Box
All data validation options in Excel, including drop down lists, are set using the data validation dialog box.
In addition to adding drop down lists to a worksheet, data validation in Excel can also be used to control or limit the type of data that can be entered into specific cells in a worksheet.
Tutorial Steps
For help with these instructions, see the image above.
- Click on cell D1 to make it the active cell - this is where the drop down list will be located.
- Click on the Data tab of the ribbon menu above the worksheet.
- Click on the Data Validation icon on the ribbon to open the drop down menu.
- Click on the Data Validation option in the menu to open the Data Validation dialog box.
The selections made and the data and/or cell references entered into the dialog box set the parameters for data validation in cell C1.
