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Sometimes in Excel, you need to restrict users to a short choice of options in a cell:
When you click on cell B3 above you have to choose (or type in) one of 5 fruits
To restrict a cell's contents and display a drop-down list:
Click on the required cell and choose: Data | Data Validation
Choose Data Validation
Choose the Settings tab:
Choose to allow a List and type your list in with a comma between each item.
From now on users will see a drop down arrow on the cell which displays your list of fruits. Note that users can type in the name of the fruit (as long as it exists and they spell it correctly - not case sensitive).
If users type in something not in your list they will get an error message. We advise setting up an input message (click on the Input Message tab in the dialog box above) that displays when you click on the cell to explains how to use the list and what the restrictions are. Best also to set up a custom error message too (click on the Error Alert tab in the dialog box above) as the default error message uses generic tech-speak!
You can learn more about this topic on the following Wise Owl courses:
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