This Excel guide will walk you through the process of How to add blank as the first one option in Excel Data Validation List? What is the most practical way to include a blank in the data validation list? Including an empty cell as an option in a data validation dropdown list in Microsoft Excel. How to insert a blank option into a data validation list and have it appear as the first option in an Excel dropdown list.
Occasionally, you may come into situations in which you wish to offer an option for your users to choose a bank/empty value in a Data Validation dropdown list that has been created. Of course, users may use the Delete or Backspace key to remove the current value from the cell, which is a “nice-to-have” feature. However, I have seen that making this minor adjustment may help the user experience run a little more smoothly since there may be some uncertainty on the user’s end if they are permitted to enter a blank number in the first place.
Hardcoding Values
You can hardcode the values you wish to show in your Data Validation List, a lesser-known aspect of Data Validation Lists. I often choose this method if I don’t want to take the chance of someone mistakenly modifying the list options or if the List has just basic options such as yes/no choices, such as yes/no options. Instead of referring to a cell range address, you may type the value you want to be listed directly into the cell. A comma can then separate the values.
But the strange thing is that using the universal value for blank in Excel (” “) does not result in a blank entry being shown in the data validation list. Instead, it is necessary to utilize two dashes (–) to accomplish this effect for various reasons.
Important: Please keep in mind that although the dashes appear as a selectable option in the dropdown menu, the cell value is left blank or empty once the option is chosen. If the value is referenced in formulae, it will be regarded as a blank value and a null value.
Step 1:
- Open an Excel spreadsheet.
- Go to the Data Tab on the ribbon.
- Click on the Data Validation button.
Step 2: To add an empty option, choose List from the Data Validation Criteria dropdown menu, then go to the source and fill in the choices you need in the dropdown menu, followed by the underscore (–). Once you click OK, the dropdown menu will appear in the cell you chose.
Important Note:
Please keep in mind that although the dashes appear as a selectable option in the dropdown menu, the cell value is left blank or empty once the option is chosen. If the value is referenced in formulae, it will be regarded as a blank value and a null value.
Pull Values From Cells
If you wish to utilize a range reference to build your Data Validation List, you must make sure that the first row in your reference does not include a cell value before proceeding. This will be reflected in the dropdown menu content that you have created. If I successfully explained how you might create the impact of having a no-value/empty option for your users to pick in Data Validation dropdown lists, I hope you found this article helpful.
Step 1: Start by opening a Microsoft Excel document and typing in the data validation choices that you want to be shown; remember to leave a blank space above the alternatives that you have chosen.
Step 2: Select data validation from the Data tab on the ribbon, and then from the data validation criteria dropdown list, select OK. Choose from a list. Also, don’t forget to uncheck the ignore blank option. After that, click on the upward arrow beside the source and choose the range that includes the dark area in the middle.
Step 3: To apply the validation to the cells and rows that have been chosen, use the okay button. It will now display the blank option in the validation menu due to this change.
Conclusion:
Adding a dropdown menu item used a time-consuming and sophisticated approach that needed extensive training and expertise at one point in its history. People considered anybody capable of pulling it off back then to be genuine magicians. Because of technological advancements, Microsoft Applications have grown more user-friendly. It is now simple to figure out How to add a blank as the first option in the Excel Data Validation list as a result of these developments. Leaving cells blank will simplify you to leave them blank when you are unclear about what you should do next.