Spreadsheet.com allows you to convert existing Select and Multiselect cells or columns to corresponding values in linked worksheets.

Using the Select and Multiselect data type allows you to limit or autofill the values your users can put into a cell. Sometimes, you may want to fill the select options with values from another worksheet. Or maybe you want users to select from options that will link to additional information, or use lookups and rollups in adjacent columns. For these situations, you can use the Related row data type. Spreadsheet.com allows you to easily convert existing Select and Multiselect cells or columns to corresponding values in linked worksheets.

This article features Spreadsheet.com's Course Scheduling template. Explore the Template Gallery to find ready-to-use templates in over 20 different categories, or learn more about starting a new workbook from a Spreadsheet.com template.

Data Matching

Columns can be converted from one data type to another data type. When converting data from the Select or Multiselect data type to the Related row data type, ensure that the related values match your Select or Multiselect options exactly. A Select option of "Computer Science" will match to a Related row named "Computer Science", but not one named "ComputerScience", "Computer-Science", or "CS".

For Spreadsheet.com to automatically match values, the options in your Select or Multiselect lists must match values in the primary column of the related worksheet.

Data conversions can sometimes cause data loss. Before converting data, it is best to backup your workbook by making a copy or making a snapshot in the Version History window. If data loss does occur, you may also be able to retrieve your lost data by Undoing the action.

How to Convert Select or Multiselect Data to Related Rows

You can convert data from Select or Multiselect to Related rows the same way you can convert the data of any data. Select the data you want to convert, right click, and select "Edit data type..." from the dropdown. Once inside the Edit data type dialog, select Related row from the "Type" field dropdown.

Configure your Related row accordingly, and click the blue Update button in the bottom right corner of the dialog to complete the conversion.

In the example below, we have two worksheets – "Teachers" and "Subjects" in the same "Course Scheduling" workbook.

Column D – "Subject" – in our "Teachers" worksheet is configured as a Select column, but we want to convert it to a Related row column that references Column A – "Subject" – in our "Subjects" workbook. The animation below shows what happens when Column D is converted from Select to Related row.

Because the values in the "Subject" column match those in the other worksheet's primary column exactly, they are automatically converted to Related rows with identical values. Notice too how turning the "Subject" column into a Related row enables the Related row lookup in the adjacent column to populate.

After you have converted your select or multiselect cells or column to Related rows links, you can expand your related rows. Expanding a row shows a form view of all entries for the linked row.

Want to do more with your Related rows? Check out our articles on the Related row lookup and Related row rollup data types to take your relationships between worksheets to the next level.