How to edit, copy and delete drop down list in Excel

Modify a comma separated drop-down list

To edit a comma-separated drop down box, proceed with the following steps:

1. Select the cell(s) containing the drop-down list.
2. On the Data tab, in the Data Tools group, click Data Validation. This will open the Data Validation dialog box.
3. In the Source box, change, add or remove comma-separated items.
4. Click OK to save the changes.

Edit drop down menu based on a range of cells

If you have created a drop-down list from a range of cells, you can edit it in this way:

1. On your worksheet, modify the source list of items the way you want - change the items, add new or remove the existing ones.
2. Select the cells containing your drop-down list.
3. On the Data tab, click Data Validation.
4. In the Data Validation window, change the range reference in the Source box. You can either edit the reference manually or select an appropriate range using the mouse.
5. Click OK to save the changes and close the window.

Change drop down list based on a named range

If your picklist is based on a named range, the changes you make to the existing items will be reflected in all drop-down boxes based on this named range automatically. If you add or remove items, then you will also need to update the range reference in the Name Manager.

1. In the worksheet containing your named range, add or delete items. Remember to arrange the items in the order you want them to appear in your drop-down list.
2. Change the reference to the named range.
   • Open the Name Manager dialog window by press the Ctrl + F3 keys together. Or click the Formulas tab > Name Manager.
   • In the Name Manager dialog box, select the named range you want to update and click Edit.
   • Change the reference in the Refers to box and click OK.
   • Click the Close button to close the Name Manager dialog box.

Edit drop down menu created from table

To update a drop down list created from a table, you have to do… nothing :) Excel tables are dynamic by nature and expand automatically to include new data. In other words, all the changes you make to the source table are reflected in all related drop-down lists automatically. Awesome!

Remove drop-down menu from selected cells

To delete a drop down list from specific cells, carry out these steps:

1. Select the cells from which you want to remove drop down boxes.
2. On the Data tab and click Data Validation.
3. On the Settings tab of the Data Validation dialog window, click the Clear All button.
4. When done, click OK to close the dialog window.

This method removes drop-down menus from the selected cells but keeps the currently selected values.

To delete both the dropdown and selection, select the cells, and on the Home tab, in the Editing group, click Clear > Clear all.

Delete drop-down list from all cells in the current sheet

To remove a certain drop-down list from all the cells in the active worksheet, these are the steps to perform:

1. Select any cell containing your drop-down list.
2. On the Data tab, click Data Validation.
3. On the Settings tab of the Data Validation window, check the Apply these changes to all other cells with the same settings box.

   Checking this option will automatically select all the cells referencing this particular list in the active sheet.

4. Click the Clear All button.
5. Click OK to save the changes and close the window.

This method deletes the drop-down list from all cells in the active sheet keeping the currently selected values. This won't delete the same dropdown from other sheets in the same workbook.

That's how to change, copy and remove picklists in Excel. Now you have all the skills you need to manage drop-down lists with ease, saving time for more important things. Thank you for reading!