Data Validation 4 - Create Multiple Dependent Drop Down Menus With Complex Names in Excel

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This Excel video tutorial shows you to create dependent drop down menus lists in Excel using complex or multiple word names or phrases for the items in the first drop down menu. This concept may sound confusing at first but if you want to use multi word item names for the items contained in the first drop down menu in a series of connected and dependent drop down menus in Excel, you need to view this tutorial. This tutorial walks you through the complex process of linking multiple drop down menus and then the more complex process of doing this with longer and multi word names for the items within the drop down menus in Excel.

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Category:

Education

Tags:

• excel
• drop down
• menu
• data validation
• lists
• in cell
• dependent
• multi word
• name
• items
• category
• categories

[cisco6889]

This has been very helpfull for me, i havent used excel since highschool many years ago. I have to create a database with 73 catagories and 862 products for work :(. Question? Can you create a catagory called 'OTHER" and have that range in the secondary drop down box that allows you to enter data rather than something already in that saved range? if so it will be a lifesaver. Please Help?

[ExcelisHell]

@cisco6889 If you want to create this database in Excel, you should really use some more complicated data entry features - mainly UserForms. I can help you out with this, just private message me on here and I'll help you out from there.

[federicoChab]

Good tutorial

[Hameczy]

Outstanding! If I could give you one hundred thumbs ups, I would. You are a great "teacher". Greatings from Romania!

[georgerbare]

Looking to expand on this. Want to have attributes (color, cost, etc.) associated with each item from the second (dependent) list populate in adjacent cells after selection. Eg., in A2 select Budwesser, in B2 select Bud Light, in C2 - E2 Bud Light attributes populate, such as alc. content, calories and cost. Have tried multiple variations of VLOOKUP using INDIRECT but have been unsuccessful. Any suggestions?

[Jeddah1820]

Thanks alot........Teacher ;-)

[VanLtheMan]

This is coool!!! what do you do if you want to add one extra category (3rd drop down)? Assume I select "Fast Car" then "Ford" and in 3rd drop for Ford would be "Mustang", "Fusion" and "Focus". If I select "Toyota" in the 2nd drop down then the 3rd would have "Corolla","Tercel","Camry","Av­alon"... Thank you!

[cdrunkie]

This is great... simple and direct to the point. thank you.

[piedpiperz80]

I have been looking for some time on how to do this and you have made it very simple and easy to follow thank you.