Data Validation 3 - Create Multiple Dependent Drop Down Menus in Excel - Example 1

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This Excel video tutorial shows you how to create multiple dependent drop down menus in Excel. Multiple dependent drop down menus in Excel means in cell drop down menus that change depending on what is in another drop down menu. This is a great feature to use when you need to create a sort of 'drill-down' system whereby the user selects an item from a broad category and is then able to select items from within that category from another drop down menu in Excel. This is a step by step tutorial that shows you how to create this complex system within Microsoft Excel.

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Category:

Education

Tags:

• excel
• drop down
• menu
• dependent
• lists
• multiple
• reference
• rely
• data validatoin
• help

[afoster1988]

Hi, for some reason I am getting a message which says 'The source currently evaluates to an error, do you wish to continue?' I have followed your every step and struggling to get over this hurdle, please help! Thanks

[ExcelisHell]

I'm thinking it must be that you misspelled a word somewhere or added a space and that Excel can't find that word after you start selecting form the second drop-down menu. But, without seeing the actual spreadsheet I can't be certain what the problem is.

[jossykooks]

Very useful video thanks but i was wondering if you know how to make it so when you select the catagory (cars or Bikes) and there is already a dependant value in the Item catagory for emaple if catagory was cars and item was ford. When i then select the bikes catagory it makes the item box blank, sort of like conditional formatting?

[ExcelisHell]

Off the top of my head I'm not sure without using a macro.

[Dubai711]

Thanks alot

[Dubai711]

THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­ANKS ALOT

YOU ARE GREAT

[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?

[afoster1988]

Thanks for your reply but I found the problem. It is worth mentioning that if you need to copy the data valuation down to more cells you need to press F4 three times until the Cell has changed from a cell reference to a cell number, this will then allow you to copy the DV to several other cells.

[jossykooks]

ah ok ive sorted it now anyway just made a message for the user to change the value so it says something else. but thanks for the reply anyway!