Is it possible to select more than one thing from a drop-down column?

Natalie Gangeswaran

We are struggling with the drop-down option as it seems like you can only select one option from the list. Is there a way of allowing users to select multiple options? 

Thanks!

 

J. Craig Williams

Natalie -

 

The usual suspects don't work (SHIFT or CTRL keys).

This sounds like a great enhancement request.

 

If your drop box list isn't very long you could have the various combinations in the drop down list -- though I probably like that option even less than you will.

It depends on what the data is, of course.

 

Does anyone have a good work around for this?

 

Craig

 

Terri Pavlovic

Well...this is not really a solution to your problem, but it could be a workaround.  If you were going to use the sheet as a web form, you can get around this by doing multi-select fields in a webform.  It's great for surveys and such, but not ideal if you just want people to do direct entry into the sheet.

 

See #3 in this blog post: https://www.smartsheet.com/blog/support-tip-3-web-form-tricks 

Natalie Gangeswaran

thanks for your comments. So I am creating a marketing calendar and users need to select what type of activity it is from the drop-down list. The challenge is there could be more than one. There are lots of different combinations so it will start to get messy. I have created an option that says 'Multiple - <please insert> but the challenge I have with this is that then it isn't presented in a uniform way, e.g. people use different wording to describe the same things.

Yes, thinking I should request it from Smart Sheet as an enhancement!

 

Do you know also if there is a way of 'locking' down the text in the drop-down boxes so it's non-editable? At the moment anyone can just enter something in the cell regardless of the drop-down!!

Travis

Hi Natalie, as mentioned it is only possible to select one option from a Dropdown List. A couple workarounds would be for the user to manually type in multiple options in a Dropdown List cell (it sounds like this is not preferable for you due to naming standards). Another option is to add multiple Dropdown Lists to your sheet.

 

I will add your vote for the ability to select multiple options from a Dropdown List, to our enhancement request list! 

Natalie Gangeswaran

Thanks. I think we will need to go for the first option - and have different variations. Adding another column will just make it more cluttered I think.

 

Ps - Do you know also if there is a way of 'locking' down the text in the drop-down boxes so it's non-editable? At the moment anyone can just enter something in the cell regardless of the drop-down.

Tim Meeks

Natalie,

 

In reference to your PS question... See this link about locking columns. If you lock a column only the sheet owner or Admin roles can edit the data.

 

http://help.smartsheet.com/customer/en/portal/articles/522077-locking-unlocking-columns-and-rows

 

Also, you could make the users to be Viewers.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Tim

Travis

I think what you are asking is, you only want the user to be able to select the predetermined Dropdown List options, correct? This isnt possible when working in the sheet but if you are collecting data in a web form, they will only see the options provided. 

Arielle Scesa

I am having the same challenge as Natalie.  I have a column that has a drop down with a set of predetermined selections and want to be able to select more than just one. 

Ashley Arceneaux

I am also having this challenge and would add my vote for an enhancement request!

Travis

Thanks Arielle and Ashley, I will add your votes for this!

JLC

Hi Travis, on the phone with my leader right now and would love the option to select multiple options!

J. Craig Williams

As long as you don't have too many multiple options, there are two work-arounds I've used:

 

1. multiple check-box columns (best with a WebForm)

2. multiple drop-down columns - either with all the same options or a subset if that makes sense for the data.

 

Both of these can have another column to collect all the data into one column if desired.

 

A bit more time-consuming to use and a LOT more time consuming to set up, but gets the job done.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Craig

 

JLC

Love how you are always finding workarounds, Craig! This definitely can work, but I think having the option to select multiple options for one column would make lighter work for all (except for the developers )

J. Craig Williams

Definitely agree on that Jaye. I can't see a downside to the feature. I always look for those.

And like that you love my workarounds.

 

Craig

 

 

Tim Meeks

That's why we keep Craig around..LOL! he comes up with great ideas!  

 

I have done the option #1 Craig mentioned. Have Option 1, Option 1A, Option 1B with the same set of choices and give instrucitons on selecting a different answer for each.

 

Tim