Autofilling dates in Excel can be a real time-saver when working with timelines or schedules. It’s a simple process: you just need to input your starting date, drag the fill handle across the cells you want to populate, and voilà – Excel fills in the dates for you. It’s almost like magic, but not quite; there’s a method to the madness, and I’m here to guide you through it.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Autofill Dates in Excel
Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what we’re aiming to achieve. Autofilling dates in Excel helps to automatically populate a range of cells with date values, either in a series or at specific intervals. This is helpful when you’re managing projects, events, or any scenario that requires a sequence of dates.
Step 1: Enter the Start Date
Type in the date you want to start with in the first cell of your desired range.
When entering your start date, ensure the cell is formatted to display dates. You can do this by right-clicking on the cell, selecting ‘Format Cells,’ and then choosing the ‘Date’ category.
Step 2: Select the Cell with the Start Date
Click on the cell that contains your starting date to select it.
This step is crucial because if you select the wrong cell, Excel will autofill dates based on the value in the selected cell, which might not be what you want.
Step 3: Drag the Fill Handle Across the Desired Range
Click and drag the fill handle – the small square at the bottom-right corner of the cell – across the cells you want to fill with dates.
As you drag the fill handle, Excel will display a small tooltip showing the date that will be filled in the last cell of your current selection. This gives you a preview of the result.
Step 4: Release the Mouse Button to Autofill the Dates
Once you’ve selected the desired range, release the mouse button, and Excel will autofill the dates for you.
If you’ve done everything correctly, you should now see a series of consecutive dates filled into the cells you selected.
After completing these steps, you’ll have a series of dates autofilled in your Excel sheet. This series will be in chronological order based on the starting date you provided. If any adjustments or specific intervals are needed, these can be done easily with a few additional clicks.
Tips for Autofilling Dates in Excel
- Tip 1: If you need to autofill dates in a non-consecutive order, such as only weekdays, you can input the first two dates manually, select them both, and then drag the fill handle to continue the pattern.
- Tip 2: You can also autofill dates by months, quarters, or years by establishing a pattern in the first few cells and then dragging the fill handle.
- Tip 3: If you’re looking to autofill dates backward, drag the fill handle upwards or to the left instead of downwards or to the right.
- Tip 4: Use the ‘Auto Fill Options’ button, which appears after autofilling, to specify how you want Excel to fill the data, such as ‘Fill Days,’ ‘Fill Weekdays,’ ‘Fill Months,’ or ‘Fill Years.’
- Tip 5: Remember that autofill works with other data types as well, including numbers, text patterns, and formulas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I autofill dates to include only business days?
Yes, after dragging the fill handle, click on the ‘Auto Fill Options’ button and select ‘Fill Weekdays’ to exclude weekends.
How do I stop Excel from automatically changing numbers to dates?
To prevent Excel from converting numbers to dates, format the cells as ‘Text’ before entering the numbers.
Can I use autofill for a fortnightly date pattern?
Yes, enter the dates for the first two fortnights, select both cells, and then drag the fill handle to continue the pattern.
How do I autofill dates in a column instead of a row?
The process is the same; just drag the fill handle down a column instead of across a row.
Can I create a custom date series for autofill?
Yes, you can create a custom list under Excel Options > Advanced > Edit Custom Lists and use this list for autofilling dates.
Summary
- Enter the Start Date
- Select the Cell with the Start Date
- Drag the Fill Handle Across the Desired Range
- Release the Mouse Button to Autofill the Dates
Conclusion
Autofilling dates in Excel is like having a personal assistant helping you fill in a calendar. It’s a feature that, once mastered, can save you heaps of time and reduce the risk of manual errors. Whether you’re planning your work schedule, managing a project timeline, or keeping track of important events, Excel’s date autofill functionality is a tool you’ll want in your arsenal.
Remember, the key to autofilling dates effectively is understanding the pattern you want to create and ensuring that Excel recognizes it correctly. Don’t be afraid to play around with different intervals and settings to see what works best for you. And if you ever get stuck, Excel’s ‘Auto Fill Options’ button is there to lend a helping hand.
Embrace the power of Excel and let it do the heavy lifting for you. With the steps and tips outlined in this article, you’re well on your way to becoming an Excel date autofilling wizard. So go ahead, give it a try, and watch your productivity soar!
Matthew Simpson has been creating online tutorial for computers and smartphones since 2010. His work has been read millions of times and helped people to solve a number of various tech problems. His specialties include Windows, iPhones, and Google apps.