How to Add a Drop-Down List to a Word Document

Shaun
Dec 4, 2022
Microsoft, Tutorials
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6

A drop-down list is an interactive list of options that allows the user to choose one value from a list. This guide will walk through how to add a drop-down list to any Microsoft Word template and make different options for the list.

What Does a Drop-down List in Word Do?

A drop-down list is used in many different applications, including Microsoft Word. It's a way to display a list of options in a text box so the user can select one option.

Drop-down lists are used for a variety of reasons. For example, they help display lists of items where each has its title and description. Another reason for their use is when many options must be displayed in a single text box.

Drop-down lists allow users to enter their selection by clicking on the one they wish to choose from the list. When creating drop-down lists, it's important to consider how many options you want your users to have access to.

How To Add a Drop-down List in Microsoft Word?

Before adding a drop-down list, you must first enable the developer menu. This is because the list is hidden and will be seen only after activating the menu.

To enable the developer menu, you must click on open and then click on options at the bottom left of the menu. Under options, you must then click on the customize ribbon option. The entire menu will open on the right. You will see a developer option with a check box next to it. Activate it by enabling the check box. You can now prepare drop-down lists.

Open a word document and place the cursor where you want the list to appear. Type the question and press enter. You must then select developer from the menu option.

Under the developer menu, check out the controls section. Over there, click on the icon for "Drop-Down List Content Control." This icon looks like a drop-down list.

A drop-down list will now appear under the question (where your cursor was placed). Since the drop-down list is empty, you must configure it by selecting properties under the controls section. A pop-up will appear where you can enter a title for the list. This title will appear when no option is selected from the drop-down.

You can edit the color theme and also select from various other options. For example, if you don't want anyone tampering with the drop-down, you can activate the option that states content control cannot be deleted. You should, however, lock your document because anyone can enter properties and disable the option.

Once you've selected properties, you can add them to your drop-down list. You can do so by clicking add on the right of the pop-up. Enter the display name field, and the value will auto-populate. Click ok and repeat this process until all fields have been entered.

You can even move fields up and down, depending on your preference. Once you click ok, your changes will be saved, and your drop-down list will be ready.

Microsoft Word add drop-down list

Time To Populate Your Data

Although adding a drop-down list in Word may seem complicated initially, it is straightforward. This tutorial allows you to add drop-down lists to multiple documents in a matter of minutes. It gives you a chance to become a master of this Office tool.

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Comments

  1. Paul(us) said on December 5, 2022 at 12:49 pm
    Reply

    Really good article Shaun. As good as a Lori Kaufman Microsoft Office article.

    What I really would like is that there are also more LibreOffice articles here on Ghacks.net.
    Or even referrals in Microsoft office articles to LibreOffice like that this possibility/function is also available and maybe even a how-to. That would be really great.

  2. VioletMoon said on December 5, 2022 at 1:26 am
    Reply

    Not to dissuade you from writing tutorials, but the one above proved difficult, if not impossible to follow, because of its lack of breadth, clarity, and screenshots.

    I find this tutorial infinitely more helpful:

    https://www.howtogeek.com/731303/how-to-add-a-drop-down-list-to-a-word-document/

    1. MGus.ai said on February 3, 2023 at 12:34 pm
      Reply

      Honest feedback: one of the first lines on the article should be: “Do you know how to insert a dropdown list in Excel? Good! It is the same thing on Word. Congratulations you dont need to read this.”
      I understand the need to refer to enabling the “developer menu” for some people, but it took 2/3 of the article;

    2. Paul(us) said on December 5, 2022 at 12:50 pm
      Reply

      Second VilotMoon her opinion. That would be really great.

  3. scotch taped mouth said on December 4, 2022 at 8:48 pm
    Reply

    Shaun, do you realize that Microsoft is a convicted monopoly?

    Why write so many articles (which come across as love fest advertising) about criminals?

    Do you support criminals? Do you want others supporting them, too?

  4. The Duck said on December 4, 2022 at 6:42 pm
    Reply

    How about some Libre Office tips instead?

    Why is it always Windows Windows Windows lately?

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