# Excel Drop Down List Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 9, 2001, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-drop-down-list-question/86421 "2001-10-09T22:06:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tretiak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e57/32.png) [@Tretiak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tretiak)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-drop-down-list-question/86421/1 "2001-10-09T22:06:54Z")
I have this simple problem that for the life of me I cannot recall how toaccomplish. On the main page I have some cells that need to have their data come from a short list of potential entries. For example, there is a list of 50 names and the cells that need the data must contain one of those names. I seem to recall that if i had the list of names in a range in one place in the workbook, then I could make it so the input cells created a drop down selection of the range of names from that list. But how do I do this? ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-drop-down-list-question/86421/2 "2001-10-09T22:10:24Z")
Select the cell, click the **Date** menu, then the **Validation** option. Select **List** from the ‘Allow’ drop-down list in the pop-up tab, then enter the cell range of your list in the ‘Source’ input box. ---
**Author:** ![Tretiak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e57/32.png) [@Tretiak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tretiak)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2001, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-drop-down-list-question/86421/3 "2001-10-09T22:26:31Z")
Thanks! You rock, Crusoe!