To set up drop-down lists in WPS Spreadsheet, you begin by choosing the cells where you want the drop-down menu to appear. Once selected, navigate to the Data menu located on the main navigation bar of the interface. Within this tab, locate and click the Validation Settings. This opens a settings window where you can establish criteria for the data allowed in the selected cells.
In the Data Validation window, under the Rules section, change the Data type to Dropdown List. This tells WPS Spreadsheet that you intend to enable a choice-based input. Next, in the List source, you can either enter options directly by placing commas between options, or you can point to a cell range that already contains your desired options. For example, if your list of options is in cells A1 through A5, you would enter A1-A5 in the Source box. This approach is especially useful if you plan to add or remove items often, as changes to the source range will automatically reflect in the drop-down.
After entering your source, you can activate the box labeled Permit empty values to permit no selection, and you may also turn on the Show dropdown arrow to display the downward pointer next to the cell for easy access. Once your settings are configured, click Apply to apply the validation rule. The selected cells will now display a drop-down arrow, and users can only select from the listed choices.
If you need to edit the list later, simply select the cell with the drop-down, return to the Data Rules panel, and change the input range as needed. To disable the list, reopen the Data Validation window, click the Clear All button, and then press OK. It is also helpful to use named references for larger or frequently used lists, as this simplifies management and makes formulas cleaner. To create a named range, mark the data cells, go to the Named Range menu, and select Define Name. Give it an intuitive title and use that name in the Source field instead of a cell coordinates.
Drop-down lists in WPS Spreadsheet enhance data accuracy by preventing invalid entries and promoting uniform data format. They are particularly valuable in forms, feedback forms, stock management, and any scenario where responses should conform to a fixed list. Always validate the implementation after creation to make sure choices load properly and that the list functions correctly when you click the arrow. With proper setup, drop-down lists become a valuable utility for enhancing user experience and ensuring trustworthy outputs.