Excel drop down list - replace existing cells with drop down list

[ashley1984]

Hi,

I've got a long list of data with a set of ingredients/proteins e.g. Burger, Chicken, Sausage, Bacon etc. I've inherited the document with the data and i'm looking to make some improvements, including a drop down list. Creating the drop down list is not an issue, its when I try to replace cells with ingredients already in the cell with the drop down list I run into an issue.

I've created the drop down list in the first cell which has burgers in it and the drop down list selects burgers which is great, however when I copy the drop down list down to a cell that has chicken the drop down list replaces chicken with burgers. How can I make sure the drop down list automatically selects what was in the cell before? E.g.

A1 = Burgers
A2 = Burgers
A3 = Chicken - when I copy down the drop down list from A2 it replaces chicken with Burgers

Thanks

 

[mse330]

Hey Ashley,

Copy the first cell with the data validation, select the range then right click paste special -> validation

 

[ashley1984]

Hey Ashley,

Copy the first cell with the data validation, select the range then right click paste special -> validation

Amazing! Thanks

 

[mse330]

Glad to help