Using tables, named ranges, formulas, data validation, & table styles
by JD Sartain | tech journalist | PCWorld | Jun 25, 2018 8:48 pm
Drop-down lists in Microsoft Excel (and Word and Access) allow you to create a list of valid choices that you or others can select for a given field. This is especially useful for fields that require specific information; fields that have long or complex data that’s hard to spell; or fields where you want to control the responses.
Creating dependent drop-down lists (when combined with an INDIRECT function) is another benefit. This allows you to select a product category from the main menu drop-down list box (such as Beverages), then display all the related products from the submenu (dependent) drop-down list box (such as Apple Juice, Coffee, etc.).
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This works very well for ordering and inventory purposes because …
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