google sheets apps script for multi-select dropdowns
IN SUMMARY
Google Sheets does not natively support multi-select dropdowns. However, there are workarounds to achieve this functionality using Google Apps Script, Google Forms, or third-party tools like Notion.
Option 1: Google Apps Script
This solution involves importing a pre-built script that adds a new menu item to your Google Sheet. When you click on the menu item, a sidebar appears with a multi-select list populated from a worksheet called 'Validation'. You can then select multiple options, and the values will be displayed in the cell.
The script is flexible and can be modified to change the list of options or the way the selected values are displayed. However, it requires some knowledge of Google Apps Script and may not be suitable for everyone.
While this solution allows for multi-select dropdowns, it does not provide a traditional dropdown experience within the cell itself. The selected values are displayed as a comma-separated list in the cell, rather than a dropdown menu.
Option 2: Google Forms
Google Forms allows you to create a question with checkboxes, which enables users to select multiple options. When you create the form from within your Google Sheet, the responses will automatically populate in the sheet.
After creating the form, you can preview it and test the multi-select functionality. The selected options will be recorded in the form responses sheet, which is automatically linked to your original sheet.
While this solution provides a user-friendly way to collect multi-select data, it requires users to interact with a separate form rather than directly within the sheet. Additionally, the selected options are displayed in separate rows, rather than a single cell.
Option 3: Third-Party Tools (e.g., Notion)
Notion is a versatile tool that allows you to create database-like tables with various data types, including multi-select dropdowns. You can create a table with a 'multi-select' column for your options and easily select multiple values.
While Notion is one example, there are other tools like Airtable or Coda that offer similar functionality and may better suit your needs. These tools are designed as databases rather than traditional spreadsheets, providing more flexibility with data types.
Using a third-party tool may require learning a new interface and workflow, which can be time-consuming. Additionally, these tools may have different sharing and collaboration features compared to Google Sheets, which could impact your team's workflow.