diff --git a/qtfred/source_groups.cmake b/qtfred/source_groups.cmake
index 1bac875a5ac..6718b68a21a 100644
--- a/qtfred/source_groups.cmake
+++ b/qtfred/source_groups.cmake
@@ -331,8 +331,8 @@ add_file_folder("Source/UI/Widgets"
 	src/ui/widgets/PersonaColorComboBox.h
 	src/ui/widgets/renderwidget.cpp
 	src/ui/widgets/renderwidget.h
-	src/ui/widgets/sexp_data_menu.cpp
-	src/ui/widgets/sexp_data_menu.h
+	src/ui/widgets/data_list_menu.cpp
+	src/ui/widgets/data_list_menu.h
 	src/ui/widgets/sexp_tree_view.cpp
 	src/ui/widgets/sexp_tree_view.h
 	src/ui/widgets/ShipFlagCheckbox.h
diff --git a/qtfred/src/mission/EditorViewport.cpp b/qtfred/src/mission/EditorViewport.cpp
index 8e155e7c413..5fe85107f75 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/mission/EditorViewport.cpp
+++ b/qtfred/src/mission/EditorViewport.cpp
@@ -146,9 +146,11 @@ void EditorViewport::loadSettings() {
 	// Handles its own group, since main.cpp reads it before the viewport exists.
 	Theme_mode                         = readThemeModeSetting();
 	{
-		const int rawStyle = settings.value("sexp_data_menu_style", static_cast<int>(Sexp_data_menu_style)).toInt();
-		if (rawStyle >= 0 && rawStyle <= static_cast<int>(SexpDataMenuStyle::Searchable)) {
-			Sexp_data_menu_style = static_cast<SexpDataMenuStyle>(rawStyle);
+		// Fall back to the pre-rename key so an existing choice carries over.
+		const int legacyStyle = settings.value("sexp_data_menu_style", static_cast<int>(Data_menu_style)).toInt();
+		const int rawStyle    = settings.value("data_menu_style", legacyStyle).toInt();
+		if (rawStyle >= 0 && rawStyle <= static_cast<int>(DataMenuStyle::Searchable)) {
+			Data_menu_style = static_cast<DataMenuStyle>(rawStyle);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -198,7 +200,7 @@ void EditorViewport::saveSettings() const {
 	settings.setValue("show_sexp_help_ship_editor",          Show_sexp_help_ship_editor);
 	settings.setValue("show_sexp_help_wing_editor",          Show_sexp_help_wing_editor);
 	writeThemeModeSetting(Theme_mode);
-	settings.setValue("sexp_data_menu_style",                static_cast<int>(Sexp_data_menu_style));
+	settings.setValue("data_menu_style",                     static_cast<int>(Data_menu_style));
 
 	settings.setValue("view_universal_heading",                 view.Universal_heading);
 	settings.setValue("view_show_stars",                        view.Show_stars);
diff --git a/qtfred/src/mission/EditorViewport.h b/qtfred/src/mission/EditorViewport.h
index f313661d78f..26962561525 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/mission/EditorViewport.h
+++ b/qtfred/src/mission/EditorViewport.h
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ enum class OtherKind {
 	JumpNode,
 };
 
-enum class SexpDataMenuStyle {
+enum class DataMenuStyle {
 	Auto = 0,
 	Columns = 1,
 	Searchable = 2,
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ class EditorViewport {
 
 	ThemeMode Theme_mode = ThemeMode::System;
 
-	SexpDataMenuStyle Sexp_data_menu_style = SexpDataMenuStyle::Auto;
+	DataMenuStyle Data_menu_style = DataMenuStyle::Auto;
 
 	void saveSettings() const;
 
diff --git a/qtfred/src/mission/dialogs/PreferencesDialogModel.cpp b/qtfred/src/mission/dialogs/PreferencesDialogModel.cpp
index 707be3baa79..c674f26744e 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/mission/dialogs/PreferencesDialogModel.cpp
+++ b/qtfred/src/mission/dialogs/PreferencesDialogModel.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ PreferencesDialogModel::PreferencesDialogModel(QObject* parent, EditorViewport*
 	, _showSexpHelpShipEditor(viewport->Show_sexp_help_ship_editor)
 	, _showSexpHelpWingEditor(viewport->Show_sexp_help_wing_editor)
 	, _themeMode(viewport->Theme_mode)
-	, _sexpDataMenuStyle(viewport->Sexp_data_menu_style)
+	, _dataMenuStyle(viewport->Data_menu_style)
 	, _toolbarIconSize(viewport->toolbar_icon_size)
 	, _outlineLod(viewport->view.Outline_lod)
 	, _invertOrbitX(viewport->camera.getInvertOrbitX())
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ bool PreferencesDialogModel::apply() {
 	_viewport->Show_sexp_help_ship_editor       = _showSexpHelpShipEditor;
 	_viewport->Show_sexp_help_wing_editor       = _showSexpHelpWingEditor;
 	_viewport->Theme_mode                       = _themeMode;
-	_viewport->Sexp_data_menu_style             = _sexpDataMenuStyle;
+	_viewport->Data_menu_style                  = _dataMenuStyle;
 	_viewport->toolbar_icon_size                = _toolbarIconSize;
 	_viewport->view.Outline_lod                 = _outlineLod;
 	_viewport->camera.setInvertOrbitX(_invertOrbitX);
@@ -171,8 +171,8 @@ void PreferencesDialogModel::setShowSexpHelpWingEditor(bool value) { modify(_sho
 ThemeMode PreferencesDialogModel::getThemeMode() const { return _themeMode; }
 void PreferencesDialogModel::setThemeMode(ThemeMode value) { modify(_themeMode, value); }
 
-SexpDataMenuStyle PreferencesDialogModel::getSexpDataMenuStyle() const { return _sexpDataMenuStyle; }
-void PreferencesDialogModel::setSexpDataMenuStyle(SexpDataMenuStyle value) { modify(_sexpDataMenuStyle, value); }
+DataMenuStyle PreferencesDialogModel::getDataMenuStyle() const { return _dataMenuStyle; }
+void PreferencesDialogModel::setDataMenuStyle(DataMenuStyle value) { modify(_dataMenuStyle, value); }
 
 int  PreferencesDialogModel::getToolbarIconSize() const { return _toolbarIconSize; }
 void PreferencesDialogModel::setToolbarIconSize(int size) { modify(_toolbarIconSize, size); }
diff --git a/qtfred/src/mission/dialogs/PreferencesDialogModel.h b/qtfred/src/mission/dialogs/PreferencesDialogModel.h
index 8687e125e60..9fcc5b50884 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/mission/dialogs/PreferencesDialogModel.h
+++ b/qtfred/src/mission/dialogs/PreferencesDialogModel.h
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ class PreferencesDialogModel : public AbstractDialogModel {
 	ThemeMode getThemeMode() const;
 	void setThemeMode(ThemeMode value);
 
-	SexpDataMenuStyle getSexpDataMenuStyle() const;
-	void setSexpDataMenuStyle(SexpDataMenuStyle value);
+	DataMenuStyle getDataMenuStyle() const;
+	void setDataMenuStyle(DataMenuStyle value);
 
 	int  getToolbarIconSize() const;
 	void setToolbarIconSize(int size);
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ class PreferencesDialogModel : public AbstractDialogModel {
 	bool _showSexpHelpShipEditor;
 	bool _showSexpHelpWingEditor;
 	ThemeMode _themeMode;
-	SexpDataMenuStyle _sexpDataMenuStyle;
+	DataMenuStyle _dataMenuStyle;
 	int  _toolbarIconSize;
 	int  _outlineLod;
 
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/FredView.cpp b/qtfred/src/ui/FredView.cpp
index 45a2d4ee7e1..b02135b1bc7 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/FredView.cpp
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/FredView.cpp
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@
 #include "missioneditor/missionsave.h"
 
 #include "widgets/ObjectComboBox.h"
+#include "widgets/data_list_menu.h"
 
 #include "util.h"
 #include "mission/object.h"
@@ -1971,21 +1972,20 @@ void FredView::initializePopupMenus() {
 
 	_createSubmenu = new QMenu(tr("Create"), _viewPopup);
 
+	// Rebuilt on every open so a changed menu style preference takes effect.
 	_createShipSubmenu = new QMenu(tr("Ship"), _createSubmenu);
 	_createShipSubmenu->setStyleSheet("QMenu { menu-scrollable: 1; }");
 	connect(_createShipSubmenu, &QMenu::aboutToShow, this, [this]() {
-		if (_createShipSubmenu->actions().isEmpty()) {
-			populateCreateShipSubmenu();
-		}
+		_createShipSubmenu->clear();
+		populateCreateShipSubmenu();
 	});
 	_createSubmenu->addMenu(_createShipSubmenu);
 
 	_createPropSubmenu = new QMenu(tr("Prop"), _createSubmenu);
 	_createPropSubmenu->setStyleSheet("QMenu { menu-scrollable: 1; }");
 	connect(_createPropSubmenu, &QMenu::aboutToShow, this, [this]() {
-		if (_createPropSubmenu->actions().isEmpty()) {
-			populateCreatePropSubmenu();
-		}
+		_createPropSubmenu->clear();
+		populateCreatePropSubmenu();
 	});
 	_createSubmenu->addMenu(_createPropSubmenu);
 
@@ -2080,32 +2080,32 @@ void FredView::initializePopupMenus() {
 }
 
 void FredView::populateCreateShipSubmenu() {
+	std::vector<util::SelectMenuEntry> entries;
 	for (int i = 0; i < (int)Ship_info.size(); ++i) {
 		if (Ship_info[i].flags[Ship::Info_Flags::No_fred]) {
 			continue;
 		}
-		auto* action = new QAction(QString::fromUtf8(Ship_info[i].name), _createShipSubmenu);
-		connect(action, &QAction::triggered, this, [this, i]() {
-			_viewport->createShipAtScreenPos(_lastContextMenuLocalPos.x() * this->devicePixelRatio(),
-				_lastContextMenuLocalPos.y() * this->devicePixelRatio(), i);
-		});
-		_createShipSubmenu->addAction(action);
+		entries.push_back({QString::fromUtf8(Ship_info[i].name), i});
 	}
+	populateDataListMenu(_createShipSubmenu, entries, _viewport->Data_menu_style, [this](int shipClass) {
+		_viewport->createShipAtScreenPos(_lastContextMenuLocalPos.x() * this->devicePixelRatio(),
+			_lastContextMenuLocalPos.y() * this->devicePixelRatio(), shipClass);
+	});
 }
 
 void FredView::populateCreatePropSubmenu() {
+	std::vector<util::SelectMenuEntry> entries;
 	for (int i = 0; i < prop_info_size(); ++i) {
 		if (Prop_info[i].flags[Prop::Info_Flags::No_fred]) {
 			continue;
 		}
-		auto* action = new QAction(QString::fromStdString(Prop_info[i].name), _createPropSubmenu);
-		connect(action, &QAction::triggered, this, [this, i]() {
-			_viewport->createPropAtScreenPos(_lastContextMenuLocalPos.x() * this->devicePixelRatio(),
-				_lastContextMenuLocalPos.y() * this->devicePixelRatio(),
-				i);
-		});
-		_createPropSubmenu->addAction(action);
+		entries.push_back({QString::fromStdString(Prop_info[i].name), i});
 	}
+	populateDataListMenu(_createPropSubmenu, entries, _viewport->Data_menu_style, [this](int propClass) {
+		_viewport->createPropAtScreenPos(_lastContextMenuLocalPos.x() * this->devicePixelRatio(),
+			_lastContextMenuLocalPos.y() * this->devicePixelRatio(),
+			propClass);
+	});
 }
 
 void FredView::populateMoveToLayerMenu(int targetObject, QMenu* targetMenu) {
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/JumpNodeEditorDialog.cpp b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/JumpNodeEditorDialog.cpp
index f1b334fcf2a..ff93b42ca29 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/JumpNodeEditorDialog.cpp
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/JumpNodeEditorDialog.cpp
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ JumpNodeEditorDialog::JumpNodeEditorDialog(FredView* parent, EditorViewport* vie
 	Editor* editor = viewport->editor;
 	util::installSelectMenu(
 		this,
+		viewport,
 		[]() {
 			std::vector<util::SelectMenuEntry> entries;
 			for (const auto& jn : Jump_nodes) {
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/PreferencesDialog.cpp b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/PreferencesDialog.cpp
index 110e926ad7f..07db9e06d92 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/PreferencesDialog.cpp
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/PreferencesDialog.cpp
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ void PreferencesDialog::updateUi() {
 	ui->checkPotentialIssues->setChecked(_model->getCheckPotentialIssues());
 	ui->applyAutoCorrections->setChecked(_model->getApplyAutoCorrections());
 	ui->themeCombo->setCurrentIndex(themeModeToIndex(_model->getThemeMode()));
-	ui->sexpDataMenuStyleCombo->setCurrentIndex(static_cast<int>(_model->getSexpDataMenuStyle()));
+	ui->dataMenuStyleCombo->setCurrentIndex(static_cast<int>(_model->getDataMenuStyle()));
 
 	const int iconSize = _model->getToolbarIconSize();
 	ui->toolbarIconSizeCombo->setCurrentIndex(iconSize <= 16 ? 0 : iconSize >= 32 ? 2 : 1);
@@ -202,8 +202,8 @@ void PreferencesDialog::on_themeCombo_currentIndexChanged(int index) {
 	_model->setThemeMode(themeModeFromIndex(index));
 }
 
-void PreferencesDialog::on_sexpDataMenuStyleCombo_currentIndexChanged(int index) {
-	_model->setSexpDataMenuStyle(static_cast<SexpDataMenuStyle>(index));
+void PreferencesDialog::on_dataMenuStyleCombo_currentIndexChanged(int index) {
+	_model->setDataMenuStyle(static_cast<DataMenuStyle>(index));
 }
 
 void PreferencesDialog::on_showSexpHelpMissionEvents_toggled(bool checked) {
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/PreferencesDialog.h b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/PreferencesDialog.h
index 0a88e68f4df..e4e8266866e 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/PreferencesDialog.h
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/PreferencesDialog.h
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ private slots:
 	void on_toolbarIconSizeCombo_currentIndexChanged(int index);
 	void on_outlineLodCombo_currentIndexChanged(int index);
 	void on_themeCombo_currentIndexChanged(int index);
-	void on_sexpDataMenuStyleCombo_currentIndexChanged(int index);
+	void on_dataMenuStyleCombo_currentIndexChanged(int index);
 	void on_showSexpHelpMissionEvents_toggled(bool checked);
 	void on_showSexpHelpMissionGoals_toggled(bool checked);
 	void on_showSexpHelpMissionCutscenes_toggled(bool checked);
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/PropEditorDialog.cpp b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/PropEditorDialog.cpp
index b71b04c2a76..769f7625628 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/PropEditorDialog.cpp
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/PropEditorDialog.cpp
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ PropEditorDialog::PropEditorDialog(FredView* parent, EditorViewport* viewport)
 	Editor* editor = viewport->editor;
 	util::installSelectMenu(
 		this,
+		viewport,
 		[]() {
 			std::vector<util::SelectMenuEntry> entries;
 			for (auto* ptr = GET_FIRST(&obj_used_list); ptr != END_OF_LIST(&obj_used_list); ptr = GET_NEXT(ptr)) {
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/ShipEditor/ShipEditorDialog.cpp b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/ShipEditor/ShipEditorDialog.cpp
index 620d42f5a98..7e67401b0dc 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/ShipEditor/ShipEditorDialog.cpp
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/ShipEditor/ShipEditorDialog.cpp
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ ShipEditorDialog::ShipEditorDialog(FredView* parent, EditorViewport* viewport)
 	Editor* editor = viewport->editor;
 	util::installSelectMenu(
 		this,
+		viewport,
 		[]() {
 			std::vector<util::SelectMenuEntry> entries;
 			for (auto* ptr = GET_FIRST(&obj_used_list); ptr != END_OF_LIST(&obj_used_list); ptr = GET_NEXT(ptr)) {
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/WaypointEditorDialog.cpp b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/WaypointEditorDialog.cpp
index 0d85be900b6..82f59b86a81 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/WaypointEditorDialog.cpp
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/WaypointEditorDialog.cpp
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ WaypointEditorDialog::WaypointEditorDialog(FredView* parent, EditorViewport* vie
 	auto* model = _model.get();
 	util::installSelectMenu(
 		this,
+		viewport,
 		[]() {
 			std::vector<util::SelectMenuEntry> entries;
 				entries.reserve(Waypoint_lists.size());
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/WingEditorDialog.cpp b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/WingEditorDialog.cpp
index dd40fdea28e..c459b668900 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/WingEditorDialog.cpp
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/dialogs/WingEditorDialog.cpp
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ WingEditorDialog::WingEditorDialog(FredView* parent, EditorViewport* viewport)
 	Editor* editor = viewport->editor;
 	util::installSelectMenu(
 		this,
+		viewport,
 		[]() {
 			std::vector<util::SelectMenuEntry> entries;
 			for (int i = 0; i < MAX_WINGS; i++) {
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/util/menu.cpp b/qtfred/src/ui/util/menu.cpp
index cb26c51f23f..3ca5430bff4 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/util/menu.cpp
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/util/menu.cpp
@@ -3,8 +3,9 @@
 
 #include "menu.h"
 
+#include <ui/widgets/data_list_menu.h>
+
 #include <QAction>
-#include <QFont>
 #include <QLayout>
 #include <QMenuBar>
 #include <QWidget>
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ int propagate_disabled_status(QMenu* top) {
 }
 
 void installSelectMenu(QWidget* dialog,
+	EditorViewport* viewport,
 	std::function<std::vector<SelectMenuEntry>()> gather,
 	std::function<int()> currentId,
 	std::function<void(int)> onChosen,
@@ -58,26 +60,11 @@ void installSelectMenu(QWidget* dialog,
 
 	// Rebuild the list from the live scene every time the menu opens.
 	QObject::connect(menu, &QMenu::aboutToShow, menu,
-		[menu, gather = std::move(gather), currentId = std::move(currentId), onChosen = std::move(onChosen)]() {
+		[menu, viewport, gather = std::move(gather), currentId = std::move(currentId), onChosen = std::move(onChosen)]() {
 			menu->clear();
 			const int current = currentId ? currentId() : -1;
-			QAction* currentAct = nullptr;
-			for (const auto& entry : gather()) {
-				QAction* act = menu->addAction(entry.name);
-				if (entry.id == current) {
-					// Highlight the current object with a bold font
-					QFont font = act->font();
-					font.setBold(true);
-					act->setFont(font);
-					currentAct = act;
-				}
-				const int id = entry.id;
-				QObject::connect(act, &QAction::triggered, menu, [onChosen, id]() { onChosen(id); });
-			}
-			// Open with the current item pre-highlighted.
-			if (currentAct != nullptr) {
-				menu->setActiveAction(currentAct);
-			}
+			const DataMenuStyle style = viewport ? viewport->Data_menu_style : DataMenuStyle::Columns;
+			populateDataListMenu(menu, gather(), style, onChosen, 0, current);
 		});
 }
 
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/util/menu.h b/qtfred/src/ui/util/menu.h
index 41b7e11a32b..682e011011a 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/util/menu.h
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/util/menu.h
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ class QWidget;
 
 namespace fso {
 namespace fred {
+
+class EditorViewport;
+
 namespace util {
 
 int propagate_disabled_status(QMenu* top);
@@ -21,8 +24,10 @@ struct SelectMenuEntry {
 
 // Adds a "Select" menu to an object-editor dialog's menu bar, creating a slim
 // menu bar via the dialog's top-level layout if one isn't already present and
-// reusing an existing bar otherwise.
+// reusing an existing bar otherwise. The list is presented with the viewport's
+// preferred data menu style (columns vs. searchable).
 void installSelectMenu(QWidget* dialog,
+	EditorViewport* viewport,
 	std::function<std::vector<SelectMenuEntry>()> gather,
 	std::function<int()> currentId,
 	std::function<void(int)> onChosen,
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/sexp_data_menu.cpp b/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/data_list_menu.cpp
similarity index 60%
rename from qtfred/src/ui/widgets/sexp_data_menu.cpp
rename to qtfred/src/ui/widgets/data_list_menu.cpp
index 83e5d28f5a3..47505bbbe43 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/sexp_data_menu.cpp
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/data_list_menu.cpp
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#include "sexp_data_menu.h"
+#include "data_list_menu.h"
 
 #include <QApplication>
 #include <QFontMetrics>
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #include <QListView>
 #include <QMenu>
 #include <QScreen>
+#include <QShowEvent>
 #include <QSortFilterProxyModel>
 #include <QStandardItemModel>
 #include <QTimer>
@@ -17,21 +18,22 @@
 namespace fso::fred {
 namespace {
 
-constexpr int kDataIdxRole = Qt::UserRole + 1;
+constexpr int kIdRole = Qt::UserRole + 1;
 
-void dismissAndActivate(int dataIdx, const std::function<void(int)>& onActivate) {
+void dismissAndActivate(int id, const std::function<void(int)>& onActivate) {
 	while (auto* p = QApplication::activePopupWidget()) {
 		p->close();
 	}
 	// Defer the actual edit so it runs after the menu close cascade has finished
 	// processing — avoids reentrancy issues if the edit triggers more UI changes.
-	QTimer::singleShot(0, [onActivate, dataIdx]() { onActivate(dataIdx); });
+	QTimer::singleShot(0, [onActivate, id]() { onActivate(id); });
 }
 
 class SearchableMenuWidget : public QWidget {
 public:
-	SearchableMenuWidget(const std::vector<SexpDataMenuItem>& items,
-		std::function<void(int)> onActivate)
+	SearchableMenuWidget(const std::vector<util::SelectMenuEntry>& items,
+		std::function<void(int)> onActivate,
+		int currentId)
 		: QWidget(nullptr)
 		, _onActivate(std::move(onActivate))
 	{
@@ -46,9 +48,16 @@ class SearchableMenuWidget : public QWidget {
 
 		_model = new QStandardItemModel(0, 1, this);
 		for (const auto& it : items) {
-			auto* row = new QStandardItem(it.text);
-			row->setData(it.dataIdx, kDataIdxRole);
+			auto* row = new QStandardItem(it.name);
+			row->setData(it.id, kIdRole);
 			row->setEditable(false);
+			if (currentId >= 0 && it.id == currentId) {
+				// Highlight the current object with a bold font
+				QFont font = row->font();
+				font.setBold(true);
+				row->setFont(font);
+				_currentSourceRow = _model->rowCount();
+			}
 			_model->appendRow(row);
 		}
 
@@ -67,7 +76,7 @@ class SearchableMenuWidget : public QWidget {
 		const int rowHeight = fm.height() + 6;
 		int maxTextWidth = 0;
 		for (const auto& it : items) {
-			maxTextWidth = std::max(maxTextWidth, fm.horizontalAdvance(it.text));
+			maxTextWidth = std::max(maxTextWidth, fm.horizontalAdvance(it.name));
 		}
 		_list->setFixedWidth(std::clamp(maxTextWidth + 32, 220, 480));
 		_list->setMinimumHeight(rowHeight * 13);
@@ -83,14 +92,21 @@ class SearchableMenuWidget : public QWidget {
 		QObject::connect(_list, &QListView::activated, this, [this](const QModelIndex&) { activateCurrent(); });
 		QObject::connect(_list, &QListView::clicked, this, [this](const QModelIndex&) { activateCurrent(); });
 
-		if (_proxy->rowCount() > 0) {
-			_list->setCurrentIndex(_proxy->index(0, 0));
-		}
+		selectDefaultRow();
 	}
 
 	QLineEdit* filterEdit() { return _filter; }
 
 protected:
+	void showEvent(QShowEvent* event) override {
+		QWidget::showEvent(event);
+		// Reset from any previous opening, land on the current item, and make
+		// sure the filter has keyboard focus rather than the menu itself.
+		_filter->clear();
+		selectDefaultRow();
+		_filter->setFocus();
+	}
+
 	void keyPressEvent(QKeyEvent* event) override {
 		switch (event->key()) {
 		case Qt::Key_Down:
@@ -111,12 +127,26 @@ class SearchableMenuWidget : public QWidget {
 	}
 
 private:
+	void selectDefaultRow() {
+		if (_currentSourceRow >= 0) {
+			const QModelIndex idx = _proxy->mapFromSource(_model->index(_currentSourceRow, 0));
+			if (idx.isValid()) {
+				_list->setCurrentIndex(idx);
+				_list->scrollTo(idx);
+				return;
+			}
+		}
+		if (_proxy->rowCount() > 0) {
+			_list->setCurrentIndex(_proxy->index(0, 0));
+		}
+	}
+
 	void activateCurrent() {
 		const QModelIndex idx = _list->currentIndex();
 		if (!idx.isValid()) {
 			return;
 		}
-		dismissAndActivate(idx.data(kDataIdxRole).toInt(), _onActivate);
+		dismissAndActivate(idx.data(kIdRole).toInt(), _onActivate);
 	}
 
 	std::function<void(int)> _onActivate;
@@ -124,24 +154,36 @@ class SearchableMenuWidget : public QWidget {
 	QListView* _list = nullptr;
 	QStandardItemModel* _model = nullptr;
 	QSortFilterProxyModel* _proxy = nullptr;
+	int _currentSourceRow = -1;
 };
 
 void appendActions(QMenu* menu,
-	const std::vector<SexpDataMenuItem>& items,
-	const std::function<void(int)>& onActivate)
+	const std::vector<util::SelectMenuEntry>& items,
+	const std::function<void(int)>& onActivate,
+	int currentId)
 {
+	QAction* currentAct = nullptr;
 	for (const auto& item : items) {
-		const int idx = item.dataIdx;
-		menu->addAction(item.text, menu, [onActivate, idx]() { onActivate(idx); });
+		const int id = item.id;
+		QAction* act = menu->addAction(item.name, menu, [onActivate, id]() { onActivate(id); });
+		if (currentId >= 0 && id == currentId) {
+			// Highlight the current object with a bold font
+			QFont font = act->font();
+			font.setBold(true);
+			act->setFont(font);
+			currentAct = act;
+		}
+	}
+	// Open with the current item pre-highlighted.
+	if (currentAct != nullptr) {
+		menu->setActiveAction(currentAct);
 	}
 }
 
 // Resolves Auto to a concrete style: the native column menu while the list fits
 // comfortably, then the searchable popup once it would grow past half the screen.
 // The menu is not shown yet, so height is estimated from the item count.
-SexpDataMenuStyle resolveAutoStyle(const QMenu* menu, int itemCount) {
-	// Extra rows for the Number / String / separator entries already in the menu.
-	constexpr int fixedRows = 3;
+DataMenuStyle resolveAutoStyle(const QMenu* menu, int itemCount, int fixedRows) {
 	const QFontMetrics fm(menu->font());
 	const int rowHeight = fm.height() + 6;
 	const int estimatedHeight = (itemCount + fixedRows) * rowHeight;
@@ -151,41 +193,46 @@ SexpDataMenuStyle resolveAutoStyle(const QMenu* menu, int itemCount) {
 		screen = QGuiApplication::primaryScreen();
 	}
 	if (screen == nullptr) {
-		return SexpDataMenuStyle::Columns;
+		return DataMenuStyle::Columns;
 	}
 
 	const int available = screen->availableGeometry().height();
-	return estimatedHeight > available / 2 ? SexpDataMenuStyle::Searchable
-										   : SexpDataMenuStyle::Columns;
+	return estimatedHeight > available / 2 ? DataMenuStyle::Searchable
+										   : DataMenuStyle::Columns;
 }
 
 } // namespace
 
-void populateSexpDataSubmenu(QMenu* menu,
-	const std::vector<SexpDataMenuItem>& items,
-	SexpDataMenuStyle style,
-	std::function<void(int)> onActivate)
+void populateDataListMenu(QMenu* menu,
+	const std::vector<util::SelectMenuEntry>& items,
+	DataMenuStyle style,
+	std::function<void(int)> onActivate,
+	int fixedRows,
+	int currentId)
 {
 	if (!menu || items.empty()) {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (style == SexpDataMenuStyle::Auto) {
-		style = resolveAutoStyle(menu, static_cast<int>(items.size()));
+	if (style == DataMenuStyle::Auto) {
+		style = resolveAutoStyle(menu, static_cast<int>(items.size()), fixedRows);
 	}
 
 	switch (style) {
-	case SexpDataMenuStyle::Auto:
-	case SexpDataMenuStyle::Columns:
+	case DataMenuStyle::Auto:
+	case DataMenuStyle::Columns:
 		// Native menu: the platform tiles a too-tall list into columns.
-		appendActions(menu, items, onActivate);
+		appendActions(menu, items, onActivate, currentId);
 		break;
-	case SexpDataMenuStyle::Searchable: {
-		auto* widget = new SearchableMenuWidget(items, std::move(onActivate));
+	case DataMenuStyle::Searchable: {
+		auto* widget = new SearchableMenuWidget(items, std::move(onActivate), currentId);
 		auto* action = new QWidgetAction(menu);
 		action->setDefaultWidget(widget);
 		menu->addAction(action);
-		// Focus the filter once the menu is fully shown.
+		// Focus the filter once the menu is fully shown. When we're already
+		// inside aboutToShow (the Select menus rebuild there), this connect
+		// fires too late for the current opening; the widget's showEvent
+		// covers that path.
 		QObject::connect(menu, &QMenu::aboutToShow, widget, [widget]() {
 			widget->filterEdit()->setFocus();
 		});
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/data_list_menu.h b/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/data_list_menu.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8a6a97fb6d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/data_list_menu.h
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "mission/EditorViewport.h"
+
+#include <ui/util/menu.h>
+
+#include <QString>
+#include <functional>
+#include <vector>
+
+class QMenu;
+
+namespace fso::fred {
+
+// Populates a menu with a flat list of name/id entries using the chosen style.
+// Pre-existing items in `menu` (e.g. the sexp Number/String entries) are left
+// intact; the list is appended after them. `fixedRows` is the count of those
+// pre-existing rows, used when estimating whether an Auto-style menu would
+// outgrow the screen. If `currentId` matches an entry's id, that entry is
+// bolded and pre-highlighted.
+//
+// onActivate is invoked with the chosen entry's id when the user selects one.
+void populateDataListMenu(QMenu* menu,
+	const std::vector<util::SelectMenuEntry>& items,
+	DataMenuStyle style,
+	std::function<void(int)> onActivate,
+	int fixedRows = 0,
+	int currentId = -1);
+
+} // namespace fso::fred
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/sexp_data_menu.h b/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/sexp_data_menu.h
deleted file mode 100644
index ffc2ddf59dd..00000000000
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/sexp_data_menu.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,30 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-
-#include "mission/EditorViewport.h"
-
-#include <QString>
-#include <functional>
-#include <vector>
-
-class QMenu;
-
-namespace fso::fred {
-
-struct SexpDataMenuItem {
-	QString text;
-	int dataIdx;
-};
-
-// Populates the OPF data list portion of an "Add Data" / "Replace Data" submenu
-// using the chosen style. Pre-existing items in `menu` (Number, String,
-// separator) are left intact; the data list is appended after them.
-//
-// onActivate is invoked with the chosen item's dataIdx when the user selects
-// an entry. Callers are responsible for resolving that index against the
-// original sexp_list_item linked list.
-void populateSexpDataSubmenu(QMenu* menu,
-	const std::vector<SexpDataMenuItem>& items,
-	SexpDataMenuStyle style,
-	std::function<void(int)> onActivate);
-
-} // namespace fso::fred
diff --git a/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/sexp_tree_view.cpp b/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/sexp_tree_view.cpp
index aaa234fb473..a6d0e304dca 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/sexp_tree_view.cpp
+++ b/qtfred/src/ui/widgets/sexp_tree_view.cpp
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 #include <ui/util/SignalBlockers.h>
 #include <ui/dialogs/VariableDialog.h>
 #include <ui/Theme.h>
-#include <ui/widgets/sexp_data_menu.h>
+#include <ui/widgets/data_list_menu.h>
 
 #include <QtWidgets/QMessageBox>
 #include <QtWidgets/QMenu>
@@ -1327,10 +1327,10 @@ std::unique_ptr<QMenu> sexp_tree_view::buildContextMenu(QTreeWidgetItem* h) {
 	replace_number_act->setEnabled(state.can_replace_number);
 	replace_string_act->setEnabled(state.can_replace_string);
 
-	const SexpDataMenuStyle dataMenuStyle = _viewport ? _viewport->Sexp_data_menu_style : SexpDataMenuStyle::Columns;
+	const DataMenuStyle dataMenuStyle = _viewport ? _viewport->Data_menu_style : DataMenuStyle::Columns;
 
 	auto collectDataItems = [](sexp_list_item* head) {
-		std::vector<SexpDataMenuItem> out;
+		std::vector<util::SelectMenuEntry> out;
 		sexp_list_item* ptr = head;
 		int data_idx = 0;
 		while (ptr) {
@@ -1343,14 +1343,17 @@ std::unique_ptr<QMenu> sexp_tree_view::buildContextMenu(QTreeWidgetItem* h) {
 		return out;
 	};
 
+	// The data menus already hold the Number / String / separator rows.
+	constexpr int dataMenuFixedRows = 3;
+
 	if (state.add_data_list) {
-		populateSexpDataSubmenu(add_data_menu, collectDataItems(state.add_data_list), dataMenuStyle,
-			[this](int data_idx) { addReplaceTypedDataHandler(data_idx, false); });
+		populateDataListMenu(add_data_menu, collectDataItems(state.add_data_list), dataMenuStyle,
+			[this](int data_idx) { addReplaceTypedDataHandler(data_idx, false); }, dataMenuFixedRows);
 	}
 
 	if (state.replace_data_list) {
-		populateSexpDataSubmenu(replace_data_menu, collectDataItems(state.replace_data_list), dataMenuStyle,
-			[this](int data_idx) { addReplaceTypedDataHandler(data_idx, true); });
+		populateDataListMenu(replace_data_menu, collectDataItems(state.replace_data_list), dataMenuStyle,
+			[this](int data_idx) { addReplaceTypedDataHandler(data_idx, true); }, dataMenuFixedRows);
 	}
 
 	// Clipboard and copy operations
diff --git a/qtfred/ui/PreferencesDialog.ui b/qtfred/ui/PreferencesDialog.ui
index 7fbea1dc657..c45e1a9ecb4 100644
--- a/qtfred/ui/PreferencesDialog.ui
+++ b/qtfred/ui/PreferencesDialog.ui
@@ -128,16 +128,16 @@
            </widget>
           </item>
           <item row="3" column="0">
-           <widget class="QLabel" name="sexpDataMenuStyleLabel">
+           <widget class="QLabel" name="dataMenuStyleLabel">
             <property name="text">
-             <string>SEXP data menu style:</string>
+             <string>Long list menu style:</string>
             </property>
            </widget>
           </item>
           <item row="3" column="1">
-           <widget class="QComboBox" name="sexpDataMenuStyleCombo">
+           <widget class="QComboBox" name="dataMenuStyleCombo">
             <property name="toolTip">
-             <string>Controls how the &quot;Add Data&quot; / &quot;Replace Data&quot; submenus present long lists like ships and wings. Auto uses Columns for short lists and Searchable once a list would fill more than half the screen.</string>
+             <string>Controls how menus with long lists are presented: SEXP &quot;Add Data&quot; / &quot;Replace Data&quot; submenus, object Select menus, and the Create Ship/Prop submenus. Auto uses Columns for short lists and Searchable once a list would fill more than half the screen.</string>
             </property>
             <item>
              <property name="text">