Microsoft Word Drop Down List and Dynamic Contents based on Selection?

~OSD~ 2,201 Reputation points
2021-07-19T09:49:25.733+00:00

Hi,

I am working in MS Word to create a drop down list. In this list I have few items, let's call it Apple, Nuts and Milk, see below:

115848-image.png

Depending upon selection, I would like to show some text or description of the selected item in a specific column below the items list, like this:
115849-image.png

Is it possible to make it more dynamic i.e. if selection is Nuts, only the text "Nuts are very good for health" should appear"?

115904-image.png

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Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | Windows
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  1. Viki Ji_MSFT 4,471 Reputation points
    2021-07-20T05:48:07.75+00:00

    @~OSD~ ,

    From the perspective of Office, built-in functions of Word may not be able to do this currently. Thanks for your understanding!

    If needed, you could refer to JohnKorchok's reply to check if there are macros could help you.
    Besides, since we are more focused on general issues about Office desktop applications, I suggest you refer to the following page to post a new question for more help.
    Word developer community

    Hope the information is helpful to you.


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  2. ~OSD~ 2,201 Reputation points
    2021-07-21T01:22:31.627+00:00

    Thanks for answering.

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  3. RD 0 Reputation points
    2023-01-26T16:34:25.8266667+00:00

    Hi ~OSD~,

    Not sure if you ever came across an answer to this question elsewhere, but I cam across your post while looking for a solution to a similar problem, and I found two helpful articles that explain the process to set up dependent (or dynamic) drop-down lists in a Word document. Both articles use VBA code to set this up:

    • [https://www.extendoffice.com/documents/word/5483-word-dependent-drop-down-lists.html
    • [https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-populate-a-dependent-dropdown-list-in-word/#:~:text=In%20Word%2C%20open%20a%20blank,add%20a%20second%20dropdown%20field.

    If you ever come across this issue again, hopefully either of these methods help!

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