How to Create Excel Searchable Drop Down List

In this step-by-step tutorial, learn how to build a searchable drop down list in Microsoft Excel. First, we look at how to create a searchable drop down list on Excel for the web, which is very easy. All you need to do is to create a drop down list and it’s searchable by default. Desktop Excel is a little more involved and requires three functions, including search, isnumber, and filter. First, we start by creating a drop down list that works on one cell. Then we progress and build a drop down list that works across multiple cells. By the end, you’ll master creating searchable drop down lists on both Excel on the web and Excel desktop.

• Steps to create searchable drop down list using Excel Online
  • Go to Excel Online by visiting office.com.
  • Select the cell in your workbook where you want the dropdown list to be.
  • Select the “Data” tab and select the “Data Validation” option.
  • Within the “Data Validation Settings” menu, set “Allow” to “List”.
    
  • In the “Source” field, in the workbook select the cells you want to use as the source for the dropdown list.
    
  • You now have a searchable drop down list!
• Additional resources
  • Sample spreadsheet to follow along: https://1drv.ms/x/s!AmxrofZZlZ-whMg2w…
  • Excel on the web: https://www.office.com
• Timestamps
  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 0:45 Create searchable drop down list in Excel on the web
  • 2:53 Create basic drop down list in Excel desktop – no search
  • 4:27 Create searchable drop down list in Excel desktop – one cell
  • 11:28 Create searchable drop down list in Excel desktop – multiple cells
  • 17:30 Best practices
  • 18:09 Wrap up