Populate Drop-down list based on selection from previous drop-down list

Hello, I'm a pretty new Excel user and I've got a complicated task.

I have several columns in my spreadsheet which I need to populate based on the selection from the drop-down list in the previous column.

For example, I have Appliance as my first drop-down list. The options include: Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Microwave, etc.

I want to populate the second drop-down list (Manufacturer) in the second column with only the values that apply to the selection in the first drop-down list (Appliance). Each Appliance will have a different list of Manufacturers, so I have to create several separate lists and display the proper list when the selection is made.

Moreover, I have to narrow that down even further in the third column (drop-down list Mod#). This list would also populate based on the selection of the second list (Manufacturer) as there could be several options for each selection.

Can someone please give me some guidance on how I might accomplish this? Note: I know nothing about VisualBasic, which I fear may be the answer.

Thank you in advance, P_S!

Did you find a resolution to this?

I have been trawling through help sites all day and gotten nowhere other than finding some VB code that would do what I needed if I could make some simple changes, but I also am novice at VB.

Data Validation and named ranges don;t appear to work as if there are two entries from the same category, the category option is duplicated in the drop down, therefor eliminating the ability to have nested dependency.

Any help is appreciated!!

Originally Posted by poison_stone

Hello, I'm a pretty new Excel user and I've got a complicated task.

I have several columns in my spreadsheet which I need to populate based on the selection from the drop-down list in the previous column.

For example, I have Appliance as my first drop-down list. The options include: Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Microwave, etc.

I want to populate the second drop-down list (Manufacturer) in the second column with only the values that apply to the selection in the first drop-down list (Appliance). Each Appliance will have a different list of Manufacturers, so I have to create several separate lists and display the proper list when the selection is made.

Moreover, I have to narrow that down even further in the third column (drop-down list Mod#). This list would also populate based on the selection of the second list (Manufacturer) as there could be several options for each selection.

Can someone please give me some guidance on how I might accomplish this? Note: I know nothing about VisualBasic, which I fear may be the answer.

Thank you in advance, P_S!

I agree with firefytr, VB shouldn't be necessary for this. I have created something similar to this. The worksheet created a model # once the drop down boxes were filled. The way I did it, was to have a drop down list in the 1st cell. Based on the selection for that drop down list, the next selection would have options from another range. In that range I had 'if' formulas that changed the posible selections based on the 1st drop down. This could be extrapolated out as far as you needed.

Hope it helps...