Microsoft Word: How do you add a drop-down list?

Microsoft Word: How do you add a drop-down list?

Drop-down lists are the easiest way for people to choose specific items from a Microsoft Word field. Although Microsoft Word does not allow you to create a drop-down menu, this tutorial will make it simple.

Add a drop-down list in microsoft word

Microsoft Word: How to Enable the Developer Tab

You can find the drop-down menu feature under Microsoft Word’s hidden Developer tab. To enable the drop-down menu, you can visit Word Options in Windows or macOS Personalization of the Ribbon.

Windows allows you to enable the Developer tab within Microsoft Word. To do this, go to File > Options. Customize Ribbon The sidebar. Under the sidebar, on the right Customize the Ribbon Section, allow the Developer Menu and Click on the OK button.

Add a drop-down list in microsoft word

For a Mac: go to Word menu > Preferences > Ribbon and Toolbar. Developer Option and hit Save.

Now, your Microsoft Word document will be restored. At the top you will find the Developer tab between View and Help.

Note: Follow the exact steps to add the Developer tab in Microsoft Excel or Microsoft PowerPoint.

Microsoft Word: How to Create Drop-Down Lists

You can add drop-down lists to Microsoft Word documents by clicking the Developer Click the tab at top to select Drop-Down List Content Control. . The drop-down list is default empty. You can customize the text box to add more options.

Add a drop-down list in microsoft word

You can customize the drop down box by clicking once in the box. Click the Properties You will find the button in the Controls Section of the Developer Tab in Microsoft Wor.
Add a drop-down list in microsoft word

The Content Control Properties window will give you several options that can be used to modify the drop-down lists.

A title or tag can be added to your box. You also have the option of choosing the design or color. Most people prefer a subtle colour because it doesn’t distract from any other areas of your Word document. You can choose the option “Labeled” Remove content control when contents are edited This is an essential checkbox in the Content Control Properties Window. This will allow the drop-down to automatically switch to normal text after an option has been selected.

In the Locking You can decide if the drop-down menu should be modified or deleted. The last step is to close the Drop-Down List Properties The most significant section is Section. The button can be pressed Add Click the button below to enter each choice from the drop-down menu. You will see your additions below Display Name sub-head. Click here if you are making a mistake Modify Change the text using any one of your option.

The Remove This button allows you to delete a number of items from the drop-down list. You can then use the Move Up or Move Down You can change the order in which options are displayed by clicking on these buttons. After you are done with making any changes click OK To close the dialog box.

Add a drop-down list in microsoft word

After a drop-down menu has been added to your document, click on the down arrow to open the picker. Choose the option that interests you and the response will be saved to the drop-down menu.

Microsoft Word: Drop-Down List vs. Combo Box

The button Labeled will appear in the Developer tab of Microsoft Word Combo Box Content Control Right next to Drop-Down List Content Control. . Both of these options allow you to list a number of options, but they are not identical.


You can add your own entries to the Combo Box, in addition those that are available in the drop down list. A Combo Box can be treated as a gift fillable form Type whatever you wish. Drop-Down Lists cannot be used to create form fields in Microsoft Word, as opposed to the Combo Box.

You must first add the Combo Box into your Word document before you can add it Developer Tab as described previously. Next, click on the Combo Box Content Control Click the button Controls Ribbon Menu group in your Word document.

Add a drop-down list in microsoft word

The Combo Box will be added to your document by clicking this button. You can customize the Combo Box by moving the cursor within the Combo Box and clicking once Properties Click the button on the Ribbon Menu.

After the ComboBox is added to your document you have two options: you can choose one or all of its choices, or double-click within the box and type a customized response.

If you are working with other Microsoft Office apps the Combo Box option can also be used in PowerPoint and Access.

Microsoft Word Drop-Down List and Combo Box Removed

You can remove any drop-down lists or combo boxes from your Word documents by right-clicking on the item you wish to delete Remove Content Control. . Alternativly, the cursor can be moved to the left of the Combo Box/drop-down menu.

Add a drop-down list in microsoft word

Once the cursor becomes inverted click once to select the dropdown box or combo box and hit the “Enter” button Backspace or Delete To remove it, press the Delete key on your keyboar.

Get even more customization for your documents

One way you can add some interactiveness to your document is to use a drop-down menu. After you’ve started to customize your Word documents you might be interested in the following: creatingMicrosoft Office allows you to create custom shortcuts.

After you have learned how to create drop-down lists in Microsoft Word, it is time for you to Try creating your own Excel too. Google suite is better than Microsoft Office apps if you’re looking for something more Google Sheets allows you to use a dropdown list instead.

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