How to Add Radio Buttons to Microsoft Excel for Data Collection

1. Define the mutually exclusive data to be collected. For example, if the spreadsheet is used to track clothing by size, the option buttons might be for small, medium and large sizes. This prevents mistyping information.Select the 'Developer' tab; from the 'Controls group,' press 'Insert > Option Button.' Place the cursor into the position where the upper left corner of the button and label are desired, and then drag a square, creating the frame. Do the same for the remaining option buttons to be created. Excel will name these 'Option Button 1,' '2,' and '3.'
2. Select 'Option Button 1,' and in the 'Developer' tab, 'Controls' group, select 'Properties.' A new window opens allowing the option button to be customized. From this pane, the font, color, status, control, caption and important functions can be controlled. Define the caption, select fonts, colors and size, and then create the functions for the button. Do the same for the remaining option buttons to be grouped.
3. Select the option buttons. Using the 'Drawing Tools>Format' tab in the 'Align' group, use the 'Align' button to position the option buttons as desired, then use the 'Group' button to create the Option Button Group.
4. Add the appropriate commands and cell links as needed for the option buttons, and then protect the cells over which the buttons are located. When the spreadsheet is completed, protect the Worksheet in the 'Review' tab, 'Changes' group, and the option buttons will be functional.