7/27/24, 10:54 AM How to Create a Dependent Drop-down list in Google Sheets

Solutions  Resources  Pricing Blog Sign in Book a demo Sign up

https://www.lido.app/tutorials/dependent-drop-down-list-google-sheets 1/12
7/27/24, 10:54 AM How to Create a Dependent Drop-down list in Google Sheets

How to Create a
In this article: Blog > Tutorials
Definition

Dependent Drop-
Dependent Drop-down
List
Multiple Dependent Drop-

down list in Google

down

Sheets May 8, 2024

What is a Dependent Drop-

down List?
A dependent drop-down list in Google Sheets is a dynamic
feature that allows you to create a series of drop-down lists
where the options in one list depend on the selection made in
another list. This is useful when you want to narrow down
choices for the user based on their previous selections.
Example: If you have two drop-down lists – one for countries
and another for cities – selecting a country in the first drop-
down can determine the list of cities that appear in the second
drop-down.
How to Create a Dependent
Drop-down list in Google
Sheets
In the example below, we will focus on a bookstore scenario
where sorting books by categories like 'Genre', 'Author', 'Year',
and 'Publisher' can streamline inventory management. Follow
the steps below to create a dependent drop-down list in
Google Sheets.
1. Define Named Ranges for Each
Category
Organize your categories ('Genre', 'Author', 'Year', 'Publisher')
and their options in columns A, B, C, D respectively, with
options listed in rows 2 to 5.

https://www.lido.app/tutorials/dependent-drop-down-list-google-sheets 2/12
7/27/24, 10:54 AM How to Create a Dependent Drop-down list in Google Sheets

Click on the range A2:A5 (options under 'Genre'). Go to 'Data'

and select 'Named ranges'. Get your copy
of our free
Google Sheets
automation
guide!
27 pages of Google
Sheets tips and
tricks to save time
Covers pivot tables
and other advanced
Name this range 'Genre'. Click 'Done'. Repeat this for 'Author' topics
(B2:B5), 'Year' (C2:C5), and 'Publisher' (D2:D5). Name these 100% free
ranges 'Author', 'Year', and 'Publisher' respectively.
Get it now!

2. Create a Drop-down List for

Categories
Select cell A10 for your main drop-down list. Go to 'Data' and
select 'Data validation'.

Click 'Add Rule'.

https://www.lido.app/tutorials/dependent-drop-down-list-google-sheets 3/12
7/27/24, 10:54 AM How to Create a Dependent Drop-down list in Google Sheets

Then choose 'Drop-down (from a range)' and select the range

A1:D1, which contains your category headings. Save the data
validation. Now, cell A10 will have a drop-down with 'Genre',
'Author', 'Year', 'Publisher'.

3. Prepare for Dynamic Range

Selection
Select cell E2:E5. This will be the area where you paste the
formula for showing different data based on the category
selected in cell A10.

Click 'Data' and select 'Data Validation.

Choose 'Drop-down (from a range)'. Leave the range field

empty for now as it will be dynamically set by a formula.

https://www.lido.app/tutorials/dependent-drop-down-list-google-sheets 4/12
7/27/24, 10:54 AM How to Create a Dependent Drop-down list in Google Sheets

4. Use the Formula for Dynamic Range

Selection
In the range E2:E5, use the formula:
=IF(A10="Genre", INDIRECT("Genre"), IF(A10="Author",
INDIRECT("Author"), IF(A10="Year", INDIRECT("Year"),
INDIRECT("Publisher"))))
This formula checks the category selected in A10 and sets the
dynamic range in E2:E5.

You can use this template to adapt the formula:

=IF([Main Dropdown Cell]="[Category1]", INDIRECT("[Named
Range1]"), IF([Main Dropdown Cell]="[Category2]",
INDIRECT("[Named Range2]"), ...))
Replace [Main Dropdown Cell] with the cell where the main
category is selected (e.g., A10).
Replace [Category1], [Category2], etc., with your category
names.
Replace [Named Range1], [Named Range2], etc., with the
corresponding named ranges for each category.

https://www.lido.app/tutorials/dependent-drop-down-list-google-sheets 5/12
 5. Set Up Data Validation for the
7/27/24, 10:54 AM How to Create a Dependent Drop-down list in Google Sheets

Dependent Drop-down
Click the drop-down in cell B10 and click the edit icon.

Select 'Drop-down (from a range)' and choose the range E2:E5

where you inputted the formula earlier. Click 'OK' and then
'Done'.

6. Testing the Dependent Dropdown

Once you've completed the above steps, test the functionality.
Select a category in A10, like 'Genre'.

The dropdown in B10 should then show the options related to

'Genre' (Fiction, Non-Fiction, etc.). Changing the category in
A10 should update the options in B10 accordingly.

https://www.lido.app/tutorials/dependent-drop-down-list-google-sheets 6/12
 How to Create a Multiple
7/27/24, 10:54 AM How to Create a Dependent Drop-down list in Google Sheets

Dependent Drop-down list in

Google Sheets
In the example below, we want to organize books in a
bookstore by categories like 'Genre', 'Author', 'Year', and
'Publisher'. By setting up multiple drop-down lists, we can
easily select and see different book details in each row. Simply
follow the steps below.
1. Input Information in your
Spreadsheet
In your sheet, make sure your categories ('Genre', 'Author',
'Year', 'Publisher') and their options are listed in columns A, B,
C, D, from rows 2 to 5.

2. Set Up Data Validation for Category

Selection in Multiple Rows
Go to cell A10. This is where you'll pick a category like 'Genre'.
Click 'Data' and select 'Data validation'.

Click 'Add rule' under 'Data validation rules.'

Select 'Drop-down (from a range)' and enter A1:D1 as the

range. This range includes your categories. Do the same for
cells A11, A12, and A13.

https://www.lido.app/tutorials/dependent-drop-down-list-google-sheets 7/12
7/27/24, 10:54 AM How to Create a Dependent Drop-down list in Google Sheets

3. Apply Data Validation for Dependent

Options in Multiple Rows
In cell B10, this is where you'll see options based on what you
chose in A10.

Apply data validation, but don't set the range yet. It will
change based on what you pick in A10. Repeat these steps for
cells B11, B12, and B13.

4. Insert the Multi-Row Formula

We use a special formula to make sure the right options show
up in B10 to B13 based on what you choose in A10 to A13. To
create a formula range, pick a space for the formula, like
E2:H5. In E2, put this formula:
=ARRAYFORMULA(IF(LEN(A10:A13),
TRANSPOSE(ARRAYFORMULA(IF(TRANSPOSE(A10:A13)=A1,
https://www.lido.app/tutorials/dependent-drop-down-list-google-sheets 8/12
7/27/24, 10:54 AM How to Create a Dependent Drop-down list in Google Sheets

INDIRECT("Genre"), IF(TRANSPOSE(A10:A13)=B1,
INDIRECT("Author"), IF(TRANSPOSE(A10:A13)=C1,
INDIRECT("Year"), INDIRECT("Publisher")))))), ""))

You can use the template below in E2 (or your chosen range):
=ARRAYFORMULA(IF(LEN(A10:A13),
TRANSPOSE(ARRAYFORMULA(IF(TRANSPOSE(A10:A13)=
[Category1 Cell], INDIRECT("[Named Range1]"),
IF(TRANSPOSE(A10:A13)=[Category2 Cell], INDIRECT("
[Named Range2]"), ...)))), ""))
You can replace [Category1 Cell] with the cell that contains the
first category header (like A1 for 'Genre').
Replace [Named Range1] with the corresponding named range
for this category (like 'Genre').
Repeat for other categories and their named ranges.
5. Link the Dependent Drop-downs to
the Formula
To edit B10's data validation, click the cell 'B10' then select the
edit icon.

Choose 'Drop-down (from a range)' and set it to E2:H2.

Do the same for B11 (E3:H3), B12 (E4:H4), and B13 (E5:H5).
These ranges change based on your selections in A10 to A13.

https://www.lido.app/tutorials/dependent-drop-down-list-google-sheets 9/12
7/27/24, 10:54 AM How to Create a Dependent Drop-down list in Google Sheets

6. Testing the Setup

To verify the functionality of the multiple dependent drop-
down, pick 'Genre' in A10.

You should see genre options in B10. Test this for A11, A12, and
A13, and check if B11, B12, and B13 show the right options.

We hope that you now have a better understanding of how to

create a dependent drop-down list in Google Sheets. If you
enjoyed this article, you might also like our article on how to
create a Box and Whisker Plot in Google Sheets or our article
on how to create a multiple dependent drop-down list in
Google Sheets.

Get Google Sheets productivity and

automation tips delivered straight to
your inbox
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
We'll email you 1-3 times a week — and never share your information.

https://www.lido.app/tutorials/dependent-drop-down-list-google-sheets 10/12
 Work less, automate more!
7/27/24, 10:54 AM How to Create a Dependent Drop-down list in Google Sheets

Use Lido to connect your spreadsheets to email, Slack, calendars, and more to automate data transfers and eliminate manual
copying and pasting. View all use cases ->

Extract key info from a PDF contract Send SMS from Google Forms Autofill Google Docs from Google Forms
and fill a spreadsheet responses responses

Get notified when a Google Sheets cell Create Google Calendar events from Create Google Calendar events from
exceeds a value Google Forms Submissions Google Sheets

Send daily KPI updates in Slack Send emails based on dates in a Google Send email notifications to different
Sheet people based on Google Form answers

Get a Lido demo Try Lido now for free ->

Related articles

Google Drive OCR: The Ultimate Guide for 2024 How to Use Google Docs OCR (Easiest Way in 2024)

Send SMS from Google Sheets (Easiest Way in 2024)

6 Zapier Alternatives

https://www.lido.app/tutorials/dependent-drop-down-list-google-sheets 11/12
7/27/24, 10:54 AM How to Create a Dependent Drop-down list in Google Sheets

Product Resources Legal

Pricing Blog Privacy Policy
Changelog Videos Terms of Service
Documentation Security
Free tools

https://www.lido.app/tutorials/dependent-drop-down-list-google-sheets 12/12