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Dependent Picklists

Use a dependent picklist to help your users enter accurate and consistent data. A dependent picklist is a custom or multi-select picklist for which the valid values depend on the value of another field, called the controlling field. A controlling field can be any picklist (with at least one and fewer than 300 values) or checkbox field on the same record.

Required Editions

Available in: both Salesforce Classic and Lightning Experience
Available in: All Editions
Example
Example

For example, you can define a Reason custom picklist on opportunities and make its valid values depend on the value of the Stage picklist like this:

  • If Stage is Closed Won, the valid values for Reason are Superior features or Lower price.
  • If Stage is Closed Lost, the valid values for Reason are Inferior features, Higher price, or Company viability.
  • Define a Dependent Picklist
    Specify a dependent picklist and its values for your org.
  • Use the Field Dependency Matrix
    The field dependency matrix lets you specify the dependent picklist values that are available when a user selects each controlling field value. The top row of the matrix contains the controlling field values, while the columns list the dependent field values. Use this matrix to include or exclude values. Included values are available in the dependent picklist when a value in the controlling field is selected. Excluded fields aren’t available in the dependent picklist for the selected controlling field value.
  • Edit Dependent Picklists
    Modify field dependencies in picklists.
  • Delete Picklist Dependencies
    If you no longer want the values of a dependent picklist to depend on a controlling field, delete its dependency. Deleting the dependency removes the logic that defines how the values of the picklist depend on the controlling field, but doesn't delete the fields or affect their data.
  • Dependent Picklist Considerations
    When defining dependent picklists, review these considerations.