Forum Discussion
Dependent drop down lists
Yeas I am fairly competent with that basic operation.
Having created that I would like to have the adjacent cell display a list of comments relating to that selected on its left.
have tried =index and =indirect
- LA_Mitche11Jun 22, 2020Copper Contributor
- GBROOKS1953Jul 13, 2020Copper Contributor
LA_Mitche11 Were you able to make a dependent drop down? If so could you share the steps. I think I have tried the same steps you mentioned.
- mathetesJul 14, 2020Gold Contributor
I'm attaching a method of what I called "cascading" drop down or data validation lists. This simple demo is just based on first and last names....you can add combinations of first and last names to test the process. When you do, you'll notice that
- the list of unique first names grows as a new first name is added
- that list of unique first names is the basis for the drop downs in the first box, where you are invited to select a first name. That drop down list grows with each additional unique first name
- Once you've selected a first name, the list of unique last names that correspond to the selected first name is displayed and serves as the data validation list for the second drop down box.
This method makes use of the new Dynamic Array functions, UNIQUE, FILTER in particular. I also employ SORT so that the lists are shown in alphabetical order. But if you don't have the most recent version of Excel, you will not be able to use those functions, and therefore this method will not work.
- peteryac60Jun 22, 2020Iron Contributor