How to Set Up Multiple Dynamic Dropdowns in Google Sheets

Other Questions Google Sheets
1

I’m working on a project in Google Sheets and need some help. I want to create a bunch of dropdown menus in one column that pull data from different rows in another sheet. Here’s what I’m trying to do:

  • Put dropdowns in every cell of column O in Sheet1
  • Each dropdown should pull options from a different row in Sheet2
  • The first dropdown (O2) uses row 1 from Sheet2, the second (O3) uses row 2, and so on

I want to set these up as data validation with a list from a range, show the dropdown in the cell, and reject any input that’s not from the list.

Is there a way to automate this? I need to make hundreds of these dropdowns, so doing it manually would take forever. Any ideas for a script or formula that could set this up quickly? Thanks for any help you can give!

2

hey, i’ve done something similar before. u could try using arrayformula with indirect to set up the dropdowns dynamically. it’s a bit tricky but works great once u get it right. basically, u create a formula that references different rows based on the cell’s position. saves tons of time compared to manual setup. lmk if u want more details!

3

Having dealt with similar situations, I can suggest a method that’s worked well for me. You can utilize the INDIRECT function combined with ROW to create dynamic references. Here’s a formula you could try in cell O2:

=INDIRECT(“Sheet2!”&ROW()&“:”&ROW())

Then, apply data validation to column O, using this formula as the range for your dropdown options. This approach automatically adjusts the reference based on the row number, linking each dropdown to the corresponding row in Sheet2.

For large-scale implementation, you might consider using Apps Script to programmatically set up the data validation rules. This would allow for more complex logic and faster processing for hundreds of dropdowns.

Remember to thoroughly test whichever method you choose before applying it to your entire dataset. Good luck with your project!

4

I’ve tackled a similar challenge before, and here’s an approach that worked well for me:

Use Apps Script to automate the process. You can create a custom function that loops through the cells in column O and sets up the data validation for each one.

Here’s a basic outline of the script:

  1. Get the source data range from Sheet2
  2. Loop through cells in column O of Sheet1
  3. For each cell, create a data validation rule using the corresponding row from Sheet2
  4. Apply the rule to the cell

This method is much faster than manual setup and easily scalable for hundreds of dropdowns. You’ll need some basic JavaScript knowledge, but the Google Apps Script documentation is quite helpful if you’re new to it.

Remember to test the script on a small range first before applying it to your entire dataset.