How to Fill Drop-Down List Cell in Excel with Color but with No Text

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In some specific cases, you might have to use the spotlight color to make a remark in your Excel Sheet. To make the task more interactive, you can create a drop-down list to use your desired color palette. In alliance with your interest, this article will demonstrate how to fill a drop-down list cell with color but with no text in Excel.
The dynamic image attached below is an overview of this article and depicts a color drop-down list with no text.

excel drop down list with color no text


How to Fill Drop-Down List Cell in Excel with Color but with No Text: Easy Steps

Let’s assume we have a dataset, namely List of Students with Their Obtained Grades”. You can use any dataset suitable for you.

Dataset for creating a color drop-down list with no text

Here, we have used the Microsoft Excel 365 version; you may use any other version according to your convenience.


Step 1: Create a Drop-down List

To begin our discussion today, we first need to create a drop-down list according to our dataset. Here is a quick discussion of our dataset. Let’s take another look at the dataset provided below.

Dataset for creating a color drop-down list with no text

Based on the dataset, we will make a custom color drop-down list to make a remark on the performance of the student. If the percentage of accumulated marks is greater than 80%, we will label it in Red. The Remark will be Yellow if the percentage is more than 50%; otherwise, it will be Red.

  • First of all, select E5:E10 cells.
  • From your Ribbon, select Data > Data Tool Group > Data Validation.

Select the data validation feature for creating a color drop down list with no text

  • Following that, a dialog box will appear.
  • From the Settings tab, click on the Down Arrow and select the List option.

Select list option from the data validation window

  • Subsequently, from the Source box, select the Upward Arrow.

Select the source data from data validation window

  • Now in the Source box, select range B13:B15 which contains the data array of the drop-down list.

Select the source data from the data validation window

  • Press the OK button afterward.

Press ok to close the data validation window


Step 2: Color Drop-Down List

In this part of our discussion, we will use Conditional Formatting to accomplish our task. Though there are several ways in which the Conditional Formatting feature provides to fill the cell, however, we will use the Equal To option for convenience.

  • First, select all cells in the E5:E10 range.

Select the range of data to create a color drop-down list with no text.

  • Then Click on Home > Conditional Formatting > Highlight Cells Rules > Equal To.

Select the conditional formatting feature to create a color drop down list with no text.

Subsequently, a dialog box will pop up.

  • Select the B13 cell, then select Downward Arrow > Custom Format.

Input the source data to make the cell fill with color

  • Immediately, select Fill > Green > OK.

Select the green color to fill the cell.

Do the same for filling with the other two colors.  However, we skip those parts to avoid redundancy.

Read More: How to Create Excel Drop Down List with Color


Step 3: Remove Text from Drop-Down Listed Cell

In the last step of the article, we will now use the Format Cells option to remove the text from our created drop-down list.

  • Select the E5:E10 cells data and then click on the right button of your mouse.
  • Press on the Format Cells option.

Select the Format Cell option

Subsequently, a dialog box will appear.

  • From the Number tab, go to the Custom option, then write the following code in the Type box.
;;;
  • Press the OK button.

Input the custom code to make drop-down data disappear.

Now see the complete output of the task as given below.

excel drop down list with color no text

Read More: How to Remove Used Items from Drop Down List in Excel


Practice Section

We have provided a practice section on the right side of each sheet so you can practice yourself. Please make sure to do it yourself.

Do It Yourself


Download Practice Workbook

You can download and practice the dataset that we have used to prepare this article.


Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed how to color a drop-down list with no text in Excel. This an interesting task and you can have fun doing it. However, If you have any queries related to this article, feel free to comment below. We will get back to you soon.


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Mohammad Shah Miran
Mohammad Shah Miran

Miran is a highly motivated individual with a strong educational background in engineering. He is interested in technology and passionate about creating engaging and informative content. After graduation, Miran decided to pursue a career in content development and has been working in the field for some time. He is eager to continue learning and growing as a professional.

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