How to Create a Drop-Down List Using Data From Another Excel Worksheet

This article explains how to create a drop-down list in Excel that pulls data from a different worksheet. This allows you to enter data into a specific cell of a worksheet from a preset list of entries. Instructions cover Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010 and Excel for Mac 2019, 2016, and 2011.

Enter the Data for the Drop-Down Menu

In this example, the drop-down menu is on Sheet1, and the data is on Sheet2. Add another sheet in Excel if you don't already have one.

1. Open Sheet1 and type Cookie Type: into cell D1.

2. Open Sheet2. In cells A1 through A4, type: Gingerbread, Lemon, Oatmeal Raisin, and Chocolate Chip.

   Format these cells however you wish. It won't interfere with the functionality of the drop-down list.

Name the List Data Selection

A named range lets you refer to the list data as a common name instead of as individual cells. To create a named range, select the cells that will be on the list, and name the selection. Here's how:

1. Select the cells you want to use for the drop-down list. For this example, select cells A1–A4 on Sheet2.

2. Select the Name Box above Column A and below the Excel menu. It might say A1 or A4.

3. Type Cookies in the Name Box.

4. Press Enter.​

5. Cells A1 through A4 on Sheet2 now have the range name of Cookies.

   Named ranges have many uses in Excel. For example, they make creating formulas and charts easier.

Make the Drop-Down List

Now you're ready to create the drop-down list. In this example, the drop-down will appear in cell E1 on Sheet1.

1. Select E1 from Sheet1. (If you want your drop-down list located elsewhere, go to that cell instead.)

2. Select Data from the ribbon.

3. Click the Data Validation icon in the Data Tools group and choose Data Validation or Validate from the drop-down menu, depending on the version of Excel you are using.

4. Select the Settings tab in the pop-up.

5. Select List from the Allow menu.

6. Type =Cookies in the Source text box.

7. Select OK.

8. A small arrow appears in cell E1 on Sheet1. Select this arrow to see the list items. Choose an item in the list to insert the data into the cell.

   To delete the drop-down list, select cell E1, reopen the Data Validation dialog box, and select Clear All.

Editing the Drop-Down List Items

To keep the drop-down list up to date with changes in your data, change the choices in the list. Because this example uses a named range as the source for a list, changing the cookie names in cells A1 through A4 of Sheet2 immediately changes the names in the drop-down list on Sheet1.

For example, if you change Oatmeal Raisin to Shortbread, the drop-down list shows the new entry.

Options for Protecting the Drop-Down List

Your data is on a different worksheet than the drop-down list, so you have two options for protecting the list data.

• If security is not a concern, hide the worksheet containing the list data. This makes updating the list easier.
• If security is a concern, add a password to the sheet so that only people who have the password can edit the list.