I have a excel database that was created by another individual. I am
familiar with drop down menus and how to create them, but this date range
piece has got me stumped.

I'm actually trying to expand the worksheet to add additional lines, and it
seems the only want to do so is to manually reformat each column that has
drop downs. Not an issue, except for this date range one.

Specifically, the problem is that in each cell, the date range displays one
single date until you click the drop down arrow - then a calendar pops up
that you can scroll through that will allow you to pick an date from a series
of calendars for the next few years. When I follow the same steps for the
drop down menu and try to choose the date range option, it doesn't work and I
do not get the drop down menu or the calendar option.

Please help!! I'm ready to pull my hair out!

Try using a Dynamic range, for your list.

http://www.contextures.com/xlDataVal08.html#Dynamic