How to Add Option Button in Excel (With Easy Steps)

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If you are looking for how to add an option button in Excel, then you are in the right place. In our practical life, we often need to use the option button to select the most suitable option for our activities. In this article, we’ll try to discuss how to add an option button in Excel in a step-by-step approach.


Why Adding an Option Button Is Necessary?

Option buttons are a common input control in forms. When there are many options, and the user needs to select only one option then the option button is especially useful there. Different projects have different methods to consider, in the case of export-import, publishing students’ marks or any other practical sectors option button is needed to select the most suitable one and proceed thereby.

Excel offers some simple steps that cover adding option buttons as well as binding them to cells or grouping them. We have made the following dataset named List of Fruits in Two Stores to explain those steps.

how to add option button in excel


Step 01: Activating Developer Tab to Add Option Button in Excel

In the initial step, we need to activate the Developer tab in Excel if we don’t have it activated. The Developer tab is useful for running VBA code, using form controls, ActiveX controls, and so on. But is not available in the ribbon tabs by default. Therefore, you need to activate the tab.

  • Firstly, go to File.

Activating Developer Tab

  • Secondly, go to Options.

Activating Developer Tab

  • An Excel Option window will appear.
  • Thirdly, select Customize Ribbon > select Developer > click OK.

how to add option button in excel

  • Eventually, we’ll see that the Developer tab is added in the Excel file.

Read More: How to Use Option Button in Excel


Step 02: Inserting Option Button

The main step is to insert an option button. We need to add option buttons in cells C5:C9 and C12:C13 of the following dataset.

Inserting Option Button

  • Firstly, go to the Developer tab > click Insert > select the Option Button Icon in the Form Controls section.

how to add option button in excel

  • Eventually, we’ll see the cursor as a plus.
  • Secondly, place the cursor in the desired location, create a box surrounding our desired option Mango, and stretch the box according to the requirement.
  • Thirdly, click anywhere on the sheet.
  • Consequently, we have added the option button.

After adding the options button, we need to clear the additional names inside the button and resize the box to fix our desired name i.e. Mango inside the box.

  • Fourthly, to do this, right-click on the option button > choose Edit Text.

how to add option button in excel

  • Eventually, the edit mode will be turned on.
  • Fifthly, delete the additional name i.e. Option Button.

  • Finally, click anywhere on the sheet and thus we have added our option button with the desired option like this.

  • Similarly, follow the same procedure to add option buttons to all of our options like this.

how to add option button in excel

Read More: How to Add Radio Buttons in Excel


Step 03: Binding or Linking the Option Button to a Cell

We can bind the option buttons to a cell very easily. Suppose we need to bind the following option buttons to a cell.

Binding Option Button to a Cell

  • Firstly, right-click on any of the option buttons.
  • Secondly, select Format Control.

Binding Option Button to a Cell

  • Eventually, a Format Control window will appear.
  • Thirdly, go to Control > select Unchecked > place the desired bounded cell in the Cell link box.
  • Fourthly, click OK.

  • Eventually, the option buttons are linked to cell C15. This cell will represent the option button number.

  • Here, we have selected Option Button 3, so the C15 cell is showing 3.

Read More: How to Set Option Button Value in Excel VBA


Step 04: Grouping Option Button

We can also group option buttons. Suppose we need to make two groups of the following option buttons like this.

Grouping Option Button

  • Firstly, go to Developer > click Insert > choose the Grouping Icon in the Form Controls section.

how to add option button in excel

  • Secondly, stretch the cursor to make a box around the option buttons we want to group. In this case, it is cells C5:C9.
  • Thirdly, click anywhere on the sheet, and eventually, we have created Group box 1.

  • Similarly, create Group box 2 following the same procedure.

  • Now, bind Group box 1 to Cell F5 and Group box 2 to Cell F12.
  • Consequently, the two Group boxes will show the different option button numbers for different Group Boxes.

how to add option button in excel

Read More: How to Group Radio Buttons in Excel


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Conclusion

We can add the option button very easily if we study this article properly. If you have any questions about adding option buttons in Excel, please feel free to ask in the comment section.


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Shajratul Alam Towhid
Shajratul Alam Towhid

Md Shajratul Alam Towhid, a BSc graduate in Naval Architecture & Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, holds a pivotal role as an Excel & VBA Content Developer at ExcelDemy. Fueled by a deep passion for research and innovation, he actively engages with Excel. In his capacity, Towhid not only adeptly tackles complex challenges but also exhibits enthusiasm and expertise in gracefully navigating tough situations, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to consistently delivering exceptional, high-quality content that... Read Full Bio

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