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Excelspreadsheet~10 mins

Dropdown lists from validation in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

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LearnWhyDeepSheetTryChallengeScenarioRecallDash
Sample Data

Column A lists fruits. Cell B2 will have a dropdown list to select one fruit from the list in A2:A4.

CellValue
A1Fruits
A2Apple
A3Banana
A4Cherry
B1Select Fruit
B2
Formula Trace
Data Validation List Source: =A2:A4
Step 1: Range A2:A4 values
Step 2: Dropdown list in B2 shows options
Cell Reference Map
   A       B
1 Fruits  Select Fruit
2 Apple   [▼] 
3 Banana  
4 Cherry
Cell B2 dropdown list references the range A2:A4 for its options.
Result
   A       B
1 Fruits  Select Fruit
2 Apple   Banana
3 Banana  
4 Cherry
User selected 'Banana' from the dropdown list in cell B2, which shows the chosen fruit.
Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions
Test your understanding
What does the dropdown list in cell B2 show?
AOnly Apple
BFruits, Select Fruit
CApple, Banana, Cherry
DEmpty list
Key Result
Dropdown list uses Data Validation with source range =A2:A4 to provide selectable options.