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We all use Google as a part of our daily routine. One of its features is search suggestion
Google acts smart and gives us a list of suggestions while we are typing.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create an excel drop down list that has this search
suggestion feature – i.e., it shows a drop down list of the matching items as you type.
For the purpose of this tutorial, I am using the data of Top 20 countries by GDP. The int
to create an excel drop down list with search suggestion mechanism, such that it shows
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6/1/2016 Create an Excel Drop Down List with Search Suggestions
Creating the excel drop down list with search suggestion would be a three-part process:
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6/1/2016 Create an Excel Drop Down List with Search Suggestions
In this first step, I will use a combo-box and configure it so that when you type in it, th
also reflected in a cell in real time.
1. Go to Developer Tab –> Insert –> ActiveX Controls –> Combo Box (ActiveX Control).
There is a possibility you may not find the developer tab in the ribbon. By de
is hidden and needs to be enabled. Click here to know how to get the develope
the ribbon in Excel.
2. Move your cursor to the worksheet area and click anywhere. It will insert a combo box
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AutoWordSelect: False
LinkedCell: B3
ListFillRange: DropDownList (we will create a named range with this name i
2)
MatchEntry: 2 – fmMatchEntryNone
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(Cell B3 is linked to the Combo Box, which means that anything you type in the Combo
entered in B3)
4. Go to Developer tab and click on Design Mode. This will enable you to enter text in th
Combo Box. Also, since cell B3 is linked to the combo box, any text that you enter in
combo box would also be reflected in B3 in real-time.
Now that the search box is all set, we need to get the data in place. The idea is that as
as you type anything in the search box, it shows only those items that have that text in
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Helper Column 1
Put the following formula in cell F3 and drag it for the entire column (F3:F22)
=--ISNUMBER(IFERROR(SEARCH($B$3,E3,1),""))
This formula returns 1 when the text in the Combo Box is there in the name of the coun
the left. For example, if you type UNI, then only the values for United States and Uni
Kingdom are 1 and all the remaining values are 0.
Helper Column 2
Put the following formula in Cell G3 and drag it for the entire column (G3:G22)
=IF(F3=1,COUNTIF($F$3:F3,1),"")
This formula returns 1 for the first occurrence where Combo Box text matches the count
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name, 2 for the second occurrence, 3 for the third and so on. For example, if you type
cell will display 1 as it matches United States, and G9 will display 2 as it matches Unite
Kingdom. The rest of the cells will be blank.
Helper Column 3
Put the following formula in cell H3 and drag it for the entire column (H3:H22)
=IFERROR(INDEX($E$3:$E$22,MATCH(ROWS($G$3:G3),$G$3:$G$22,0)),"")
This formula stacks all the matching names together without any blank cells in between
For example, if you type UNI, this column would show 2 and 9 together, and rest all cel
be blank.
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Now that the helper columns are in place, we need to create the dynamic named range.
named range will only refer to those values that match the text entered in the combo bo
will use this dynamic named range to show the values in the drop-down box.
Note: In step 1 we entered DropDownList in the ListFillRange option. Now we will creat
named range with the same name.
2. In the name manager dialogue box click New. It will open a New Name dialogue box.
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6/1/2016 Create an Excel Drop Down List with Search Suggestions
The final part is to write a short VBA code. This code make the drop down dynamic such
shows the matching items/names as you are typing in the search box.
That’s it!!
You are all set with your own Google type Search bar for a drop-down.
For a better look and feel, you can cover cell B3 with the Combo Box and hide all the he
columns. You can now show off a little with this amazing Excel trick.
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Excel Functions Used –> IFERROR | SEARCH | COUNTIF | IF | INDEX | MATCH | ROWS
What do you think? Would you be able to use this search suggestion drop-down list in y
work? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment.
If you have enjoyed this tutorial, I am sure you would like these too:
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FJ MV • 2 years ago
Great work, I like it. but I'm just curious how could I make it work if I want it to show me more columns of
item. Let's say If I search for United States so it will show me "United States" but in addition will also sho
don't know "number of people" - "latitud" - etc etc etc . Hope you can understand me. Thank you :)
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Thanks in advance
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Date
Invoice no.
Telephone
Name
Address
Pcs
16-03-14
55544596
Mohamed Al Marri
Muaither
1
23-03-14
see more
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6/1/2016 Create an Excel Drop Down List with Search Suggestions
You save me with my problem...you are so good in excel and learned so much on your website.
Thank you.
Janice Nunez.
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Thanks so much.
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6/1/2016 Create an Excel Drop Down List with Search Suggestions
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BUT- the only difference is when i used to use regular Data Validation list- it was easy to copy that drop d
an entire column. How can i do that with this Active X control Drop down? Because i want to use it for at
thousand student records... need to line up with the other student data.
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Thanks.
-Joe
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