Not anymore: Excel 2013’s table tools include features that make it easy to link charts and cells, perform searches, and create dynamically updated reports, just like—yes—a relational database.

If you’re using Microsoft 365 or one of the 2019 standalone versions of Excel, you can quickly create a dynamic list using the UNIQUE() function.

There’s a more technical process, but we’re only covering the easy methods. Whether it’s for your small business or for work, you’ll master soon enough how to create a drop down list in Excel.