How to Sort Drop Down Lists in Excel - 5 Easy Methods

Method 1 – Applying the SORT Function to Arrange and Create a Drop-Down List

The sample dataset (B4:C13) contains fruit names in random order.

Steps:

Enter this formula E5 and Press Enter.

=SORT(B5:B13)

The formula will sort data in ascending alphabetical order.

Creating a Drop-Down List:

Steps:

Select any of the cells or the whole data range where you want to create the drop-down list.

On the Excel Ribbon, go to Data > Data Tools group > Data Validation > Data Validation

In the Data Validation dialog box, choose List from the field: Allow. Source will be displayed. Click the upper arrow in the Source field to select the source data.

Insert the source data and press Enter. ‘#’ was used at the end of the source data to include the whole array of the sorted data in the drop-down list.

Click OK.

The drop-down list is created.

Method 2 – Combining the SORT & UNIQUE Functions to Sort a Drop-Down List

The dataset below contains Orange, Coconut, and Apple multiple times.

Steps:

Enter the following formula in E5.

=UNIQUE(SORT(B5:B13))

The array will contain unique fruit names.

Use the Data Validation option, to create the drop-down list.

Method 3 – Using the OFFSET and COUNTA Functions with the Define Name Option to Organize the Drop-Down List

This is the sample dataset.

Steps:

Go to Formulas > Define Name > Define Name.

The New Name dialog box will open. In Name enter Fruit.
In Refers to, enter the formula below.
Press OK.

=OFFSET(Sheet1!$A$1, 0, 0, COUNTA(Sheet1!$A$1:$A$1001))

Go to another sheet (Sheet2). Enter this formula in A1 and press Enter.

=IF(COUNTA(Fruit)>=ROWS($A$1:A1), INDEX(Fruit, MATCH(SMALL(COUNTIF(Fruit, "<"&Fruit), ROW(A1)),COUNTIF(Fruit, "<"&Fruit), 0)), "")

The formula will return a fruit name in alphabetical order. Drag down the ‘+’ sign to see the other fruit names.

The list is in alphabetical order.

Create a drop-down list using the Data Validation option. Select the above list as source data.

Method 4 – Applying the Excel Power Query to Sort Drop-down Data

The dataset was converted to a table by pressing Ctrl + T.

Steps:

Select the table (B4:C13).

Go to Data > From Table/Range.

The Power Query Editor window will open.

Right-click the table and click Remove Other Columns.

Click the drop-down icon in the fruit column and click Sort Ascending.

The fruit list will be sorted in alphabetical order.

Select Close & Load > Close & Load in the Power Query Editor.

The table containing sorted fruit names is displayed.

Create the drop-down list.

Method 5 – Ordering a Drop Down List Using VBA in Excel

This is the sample dataset.

Steps:

Go to the sheet that contains the source data of the drop-down list. Here, Sheet8.

Right-click the sheet name and select View Code.

The Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window will open. Enter the code below in the Module.

Option Explicit
Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
Dim rngSort As Range
'Set reference to the Table and column to be sorted
Set rngSort = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets("Sheet8").Range("FruitName[Fruit]")
'Use Range.Sort method to apply sort
rngSort.Sort _
Key1:=rngSort, _
Order1:=xlAscending, _
Header:=xlYes
End Sub