What does a drop-down list allow you to do in a spreadsheet?

A drop-down list in a spreadsheet is a feature that provides users with a predefined set of options to choose from. This allows for greater accuracy and consistency in data entry, as it restricts inputs to only those options available in the list. Users can click on the drop-down arrow to reveal the options and then select the desired item. This minimizes the possibility of errors that can occur from manual data entry, such as typos or entering invalid data.

The other options do not correctly represent the function of a drop-down list. Selecting multiple items at once is not a functionality offered by standard drop-down lists, which allow only a single selection at a time. Sorting data pertains to organizing existing information rather than creating selections. Similarly, automatically calculating totals is a function related to formulas and functions within spreadsheets, not specifically linked to drop-down lists. Thus, the characteristic of a drop-down list is best described as enabling users to choose from available options.