how to edit drop down list in excel

To edit a drop-down list in Excel, the method depends on how the list was originally created-either from a range of cells or from manually entered items.

Editing a Drop-Down List Based on a Cell Range

1. Locate and modify the source list on your worksheet by adding, removing, or changing the items in the cells that serve as the source of your drop-down list.
2. Select the cell containing the drop-down list.
3. Go to the Data tab on the Ribbon and click Data Validation.
4. In the Data Validation dialog box, under the Settings tab, adjust the Source box if needed to update the range reference.
5. Click OK to save changes. The drop-down list will now reflect the updated source list

Editing a Drop-Down List Created by Manually Entered Items

1. Select the cell with the drop-down list.
2. Go to the Data tab and click Data Validation.
3. In the Settings tab of the Data Validation dialog box, edit the list items directly in the Source box. Items should be separated by commas.
4. Click OK to apply the changes. This updates the drop-down list options immediately

Additional Tips

• If your source list is formatted as an Excel table, adding or removing items in the table will automatically update the drop-down list without needing to adjust the source range

• To apply changes to all cells with the same drop-down list, select the option to apply changes to all cells with the same settings in the Data Validation dialog

• You can also create or edit drop-down lists by typing the items directly into the Source box or by referencing a range on another sheet (which can be hidden to prevent user access)

This approach allows you to keep your drop-down lists current and relevant to your data needs in Excel.