Trying to format many Combo boxes at once

I would use data validation.

Select your 37 cells , then select the data tab and then data validation.

Select "Use List" and then enter your list "Apples, Pears, Plums"

You can enhance this by using a simple sheet specific macro.

Right Click on the sheet name at the bottom of your sheet, select "View Code" and paste this code in to the module that opens and close it.

Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
*** Dim lngValType As Long
*** On Error Resume Next
*** lngValType = Target.Validation.Type
*** On Error GoTo 0
*** If lngValType = 3 Then SendKeys "%{DOWN}"
End Sub