Phantom Drop down boxes in excel 2016

I've identified what the user is doing to trigger this bug. It occurs when there are multiple data validation list cells selected when the workbook is saved. For example: two sheets and cells with drop down lists are selected on both sheets. The combobox will not appear on the first sheet. It will appear in the selected cells in the subsequent sheets of the workbook (whether that is one sheet or several). And yes, it is a combobox, but it has no name so you cannot delete it programmatically or select it as an object.

Preventive measures: My preferred solution is to use a workbook closing (and before save event) procedure to programmatically select cells that do not contain data validation lists. This is a sustainable solution. No corrective procedures are needed.

Corrective measures: To eliminate the combobox after it appears, you can select the cell, copy it, select a new worksheet, paste the copied cell anywhere in the new sheet, then activate the original sheet, and press delete. Select the cell with the phantom combobox then run the following vba code:

Sub removeArrow()

Application.ScreenUpdating = False

ActiveWorkbook.Unprotect

Dim wsForm As Worksheet

Set wsForm = ActiveWorkbook.ActiveSheet

wsForm.Unprotect

ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets.Add

Dim wsTemp As Worksheet

Set wsTemp = ActiveWorkbook.ActiveSheet

wsForm.Select Selection.Copy

wsTemp.Select

ActiveSheet.Paste

wsForm.Select

Application.CutCopyMode = False

SendKeys "{DELETE}"

Application.DisplayAlerts = False

wsTemp.Delete

Application.DisplayAlerts = True

ActiveWorkbook.Protect Structure:=True, Windows:=False

Application.ScreenUpdating = True

End Sub

Thanks Sean. I'll have a go and see what happens...

I've found a work around..always click on a cell that doesn't have data validation then save the file!  It works for me but sometimes i forget to select the cell and wh i reopen spreadsheet i'm back with a phantom drop down list...

Hi Parth,

I have this issue too. 

I've run through these steps but nothing has helped. I have also checked for updates.

As Sean mentioned, the phantom dropdown icon is always there, but there is no list when clicked. It overlays the cell where my actual data validation takes place. It even persists if I remove all data validation.

It seems to be an intermittent problem. In some workbooks it happens for some validated cells but not others. 

Have you any further thoughts?

Hello Sean,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and thank you for posting your query.

Start Excel application in safe mode, create new spreadsheet with data validation and check if it works as expected.

• Press the ‘Windows + R’ key on the keyboard.
• In the ‘Run’ window type Excel /safeand press ‘enter’. Note: there is a space between the word Excel and the /

If Excel works as expected in application safe, then disable the add-in(s) by following the steps below and verify the status.

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Work-with-Office-safe-modes-dedf944a-5f4b-4afb-a453-528af4f7ac72

If issue persist, try repairing Office suite using the following link and check if data validation in Excel work as expected.

https://support.office.com/en-US/Article/Repair-an-Office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b

I hope the above information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance.

Thank you.