Use data validation to restrict the type of data or the values that users enter into a cell, like a dropdown list.

You can use data validation to restrict the type of data or values that users enter into cells. This is an advanced topic on data validation. For an introduction to data validation, and how to validate a cell or a range, see Add data validation to a cell or a range.

Add data validation. Change a data validation condition. Remove data validation. Ways that users are notified about validation errors. For a form that is designed to be filled out by using InfoPath, you can set a data validation message to be displayed as a ScreenTip.

Download Excel data validation examples. Data entry is quicker and more accurate when you restrict values in a cell to choices from a drop-down list. Start by making a list of valid entries on a sheet, and sort or rearrange the entries so that they appear in the order you want.

You can find cells in a workbook that contain data validation by using the Go To Special dialog box. On the Edit menu, point to Find, and then click Go To. Click Special. Select Data Validation. To find all cells with data validation, select All, and then click OK.

Go to Data > Data Validation. On the Settings tab, click in the Source box, and then on the worksheet that has the entries for your drop-down list, Select cell contents in Excel containing those entries. You'll see the list range in the Source box change as you select.

You may want to use the data validation tools to check your worksheets for incorrect data that may cause inaccurate calculations or results. Cells that contain invalid data appear with a red circle around them so that you can easily find and correct any problems.

You can vet or validate data in Access desktop databases as you enter it by using validation rules. You can use the expression builder to help you format the rule correctly. Validation rules can be set in either table design or table datasheet view.

To remove a drop-down list, click the cell with the list, then click Data > Data Validation, and then on the Settings tab, click Clear All, then OK. A drop-down list is also known as a drop-down box or drop-down menu.

How to use the INDIRECT function in Excel to change the reference to a cell within a formula without changing the formula itself.