Google Sheets is a popular spreadsheet application that has many useful features. One of them is the ability to create drop-down lists within any cell or range of cells. Once you add a drop-down list, it becomes Share a Google Sheets document This is easy in Google Drive.
One reason to add a drop-down list might be to ask users multiple-choice questions, allowing them to choose an answer based on their preferences. This can also be used to gather feedback, for example. Whatever your use case, creating and later editing a drop-down list is very easy in both the web browser and mobile versions of Google Sheets.
let's start.
Create a drop-down list in Google Sheets in the web app
We tested Edge on a Windows device, and you can use this browser on both Windows and Mac. However, Google recommends using Chrome for the best results.
Step 1: Type sheets. new in the address bar to quickly create and open a new Google Sheets document or open a document from your Google Drive account.
Step 2: Locate Verification Verify the data in the data list.
Step 3: In the next pop-up window, select the criteria which can be either “List of items"Or"List of rangeThe first option means that users can select an item from a predefined list of items. The second option means that users can select a list of items from other cells in the same sheet or even other sheets within the same document. We'll go with a list of items to keep it simple.
Step 4: Next, enter all the items you want to appear in the list separated by only commas in the second box next to Criteria.
Step 5: Enable “Show drop-down list in a cellTo display the drop-down list in the selected cell with a downward-pointing arrow, making it easier for users to notice that there is a drop-down list in the selected cell.
Step 6: Select Show warning next to “On invalid dataIf you want to allow users to enter invalid data (something not predefined) but will select the typed item to highlight it, select Reject Input to disallow users from selecting anything not predefined.
Step 7: Locate "Show validation instruction textIf you want to add a custom note to help users understand what they're supposed to do with the drop-down menu, a text box will appear when you select the Note entry option.
Step 8: Click the button save To finish, check the drop-down list directly in the selected cell.
Here's what it looks like when you click the down arrow.
You can now select a predefined item from the drop-down list by clicking the arrow and choosing an item.
You can also enter (type) something that is not predefined.
The cell will immediately be marked with a red icon and a message will appear when you hover your mouse over it.
Create a drop-down list in Google Sheets in the mobile app
The steps are the same for both Android and iOS versions. We'll use Android in the example below.
Step 1: Open an app Google Sheets Open/create a new spreadsheet document. Select the cell where you want to add a drop-down list. Now, click the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner and select Data Validation.
Step 2: Select criteria for the drop-down list. It can be either “List of items"Or"List of range“.Then click the button “additionTo enter the comma-separated items you want to appear in the drop-down list.
Step 3: Enable “Show drop-down list in cellDisplay an arrow to inform users that a cell contains a drop-down list. Enable "Show validation instruction text" to display a custom message to help users understand what they need to do. When enabled, an Edit button will appear. Click it to add a message.
Step 4: Under the title "Invalid dataSelect Show warning if you want others to enter something not previously selected. Select Reject input if you want users to be forced to select an item from the list. Click the Save button when finished.
You'll notice an arrow in the bottom corner of the screen when you select a cell containing a drop-down list. Click it to select an item from the list, which will slide from the bottom to the top.
If you want to enter a different value instead of the one previously selected, click the keyboard icon instead and type your answer.
Just like the web app, entering an answer different from the pre-selected answer will mark the cell to highlight it.
Edit or delete drop-down lists in Google Sheets on the web app
The first few steps will remain the same. Select the cell where you added the drop-down list in Sheets and go to data> Data Validation List. You can now modify the criteria, selected cells, and all other options, or simply click the “Remove validationTo delete the list. Click the Save button to save your changes.
Note that deleting the dropdown will remove the validation and not the manual user entry.
Edit or delete drop-down lists in Google Sheets on the mobile app
The steps for editing or deleting drop-down lists in the Google Sheets mobile apps remain the same. Select the cell containing the drop-down list and from the three-dot menu, select Data Validation. Click Remove Rule to delete the list or edit the list as you see fit.
Drop-down menus are fun.
Creating and managing drop-down lists in Google Sheets is very easy. Creating a list takes less than a few minutes, but a lot depends on the number of items. If you set the criteria to "List from a range," this can take some time.
You can also collaborate with other users in the same Google Sheet document. How to allow multiple users to edit the same documentThis will save you some valuable time, especially if there are some drop-down menus involved or a lot of data that is difficult to analyze.
