How do I get rid of a blank drop down?

[rinxman]

I was modifying a file with a drop down list via Data Validation when the file started to always display the drop down arrow. It doesn't matter if the cell is selected or not. If I click on it, there are no options. It's just a blank box. I can insert rows and columns and the drop down arrow stays with the cell. But if I delete the row or column it moves to an adjacent cell. But when it moves instead of being outside the cell on the lower right, it is now inside the cell in the lower right corner.

I checked Data Validation and the only one is the one I was working on. How do I get rid of that arrow? Any ideas? I have closed completely out of Excel and then re-opened the file but it's still there.

I am using Excel 2007.

 

[Scott Huish]

Click on the cell this is happening on.
Go into Data Validation.
Under Allow, change to Any Value. Click OK.

 

[rinxman]

That's how it's already set up. I checked that. I even did a Go To > Special > Data Validation and selected All. The only one that it showed me was the one I modified. The other cell with the always-visible drop down arrow was not returned. The cell it's in as well as all of the others adjacent to that cell are set to allow Any Value.

The cell where I have the Data Validation list has the drop down arrow appear when the cell is selected - as is normal. This other cell just has the drop down arrow and it never goes away. It has no data validation attached to it.

 

[T. Valko]

That's how it's already set up. I checked that. I even did a Go To > Special > Data Validation and selected All. The only one that it showed me was the one I modified. The other cell with the always-visible drop down arrow was not returned. The cell it's in as well as all of the others adjacent to that cell are set to allow Any Value.

The cell where I have the Data Validation list has the drop down arrow appear when the cell is selected - as is normal. This other cell just has the drop down arrow and it never goes away. It has no data validation attached to it.

Are you sure it's a data validation list (drop down list)?

It sounds like a combo box.

Try this...

Hit function key F5
Special>Objects>OK

Does the thing get selected?

 

[rinxman]

It did not get selected. It told me No Objects Found. I have no idea what it is. I found a lazy work-around by moving it WAY to the right so it wouldn't be visible. Here is how it looks. No data validation and the arrow is inside the cell instead of outside.

(Not sure if it is showing the cropped screen shot as it is not showing for me.)

 

[Galley]

I am having the same issue with Excel 2007. I have a cell that actually contains two drop-down lists. The drop-down button that is always visible is not centered vertically like the others in the same column. Selecting the button brings up an empty list. I cannot get rid of it! By tabbing to the same cell, the standard drop-down list may be selected, which behaves normally.

 

[Galley]

I finally was able to get rid of the rogue drop-down list by deleting the row it was in. Previously, I had tried deleting the column.

 

[ToniGo]

I know this is an old thread, but in the last couple of months this has been happening constantly. Every now and again new ones appear and it is driving me crazy! It seems to only happen on cells that have data validation in them. I am using Office 2016 (on 365). Before upgrading I had never seen this before although I see it's not a new thing.

Note:
1. I can get rid of them as other users have stated by deleting the entire row.
2. The actual data validation is still there, if I use the keyboard to navigate to the cell then the correct dropdown list appears. But if clicking into the cell with the mouse it normally activates the "fake" dropdown.
3. GoTo Special: Objects does not activate this.

Any ideas on how to prevent this from happening would be much appreciated! Whilst fixable it is extremely annoying!

 

[Emm]

Hi,
Exact same thing happening with me ... just upgraded to 2016, 365 today ... drop-down suddenly appeared?
I've tried everything ... except deleting a row ... it's going to cause havoc if I do that ... its in the middle of my dashboard

tried running code to delete all VLists ... all went except this one button ...
Must be a 2016 365 error ???

Keith

 

[Emm]

I fixed it.
Ended up copying the cells each side to a new sheet (including formats/formulas)
then deleted the row, inserted a new row, then pasted the old set-up back into the new row ...

Hopefully it wont return ??

Keith