Part IV: Managing and Analyzing Data
FIGURE 26.4
This drop-down list (with an Input Message) was created using data validation.
If you will be adding new items to the list, put the items in a single-column table that was created by using Insert ➪
Tables ➪ Table. Excel will then update the list of options when you add or remove items from the table column.
- Make sure that the In-Cell Dropdown check box is selected.
- Set any other Data Validation options as desired.
- Click OK. The cell displays an input message (if specified), and a drop-down arrow
when it’s activated.
- Click the arrow and choose an item from the list that appears.
If you have a short list, you can enter the items directly into the Source control on the Settings tab of the Data
Validation dialog box. (This control appears when you choose the List option in the Allow drop-down list.) Just sepa-
rate each item with list separators specified in your regional settings (a comma if you use the U.S. regional settings).
Unfortunately, you cannot control the font size used in drop-down lists. If the cell that
displays the drop-down is formatted to show large text, the drop-down list does not use
that formatting. If you zoom out on a worksheet, it may be difficult to read the items.
