---
schema_version: "1"
id: 09769d33fb809d14a82e870d656235023e144b4376b2dec05b3af5bb53620213
title: Define a Dependent Picklist
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/platform/264-0-0/fields_defining_field_dependencies.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.fields_defining_field_dependencies.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: d8e0c785f8e2f2eb386f981b16b069c581715ceadabb6ad3a7977046282c3a6c
description: Specify a dependent picklist and its values for your org.
products:
  - Salesforce Platform
  - Security
release: "264"
---
# Define a Dependent Picklist

Specify a dependent picklist and its values for your org.

### Required Editions

<table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small edition">
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            <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;">Available in: both Salesforce Classic and Lightning Experience</td>

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              <p>Available in: <strong>All</strong> Editions</p>
              <p style="margin-bottom:0;">Standard Objects aren’t available in
                <strong>Database.com</strong>
              </p>
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            <th scope="colgroup" class="slds-cell-wrap" colspan="2" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;" id="d37064e65">User Permissions
              Needed</th>
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            <td data-label="User Permissions Needed" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d37064e65 ">To define dependent picklists:</td>

            <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d37064e65 ">Customize Application</td>

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If your org uses record types, make sure that your controlling and dependent picklist values are available in the appropriate record types before you define a dependent picklist.

1. From the management settings for the object you want to add a field to, go to Fields. Custom task and event fields are accessible from the object management settings for Activities.
2. Click **Field Dependencies**.
3. Click **New**.
4. Choose a controlling field and dependent field.
    
    Some picklist and checkbox fields aren’t available as controlling fields.
5. Click **Continue**.
6. Use the [field dependency matrix](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.fields_using_the_field_dependency_matrix.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "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.") to specify the dependent picklist values that are available when a user selects each controlling field value.
7. Optionally, click **Preview** to test your selections. If your org uses record types, choose a record type to test how it affects your controlling and dependent picklist values. The record type controls what values are available in the controlling field. The record type and the controlling field together determine what values are available in the dependent picklist. For example, a dependent value is only available if it’s available in the selected record type and the selected controlling value.
    
    ![Note](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-platform-extend_click-264-0-0-production-enus/5f7d9219-b7b1-4552-8891-f1aba9b289fc/images/icon_note.png)
    
    Note The Filter by Record Type option doesn’t appear in the Preview window for activity custom fields.
8. Click **Save**.