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How to Auto Fill Date in Excel?

If you’re like most people, you’re probably familiar with using Microsoft Excel to manage data. But did you know that Excel can also help you save time by auto-filling dates? In this article, you’ll learn how to set up your spreadsheet to auto-fill dates quickly and easily. You’ll also learn some simple tips and tricks that will make your life easier when it comes to managing dates in Excel. So read on to discover how to auto-fill dates in Excel and become a pro in no time!

Auto-Filling Dates in Excel

Excel is a powerful tool for organizing and manipulating data. One of its most useful features is the ability to auto-fill dates. This function allows you to quickly enter a series of dates in a spreadsheet, allowing you to save time and energy. This guide will teach you how to use Excel’s auto-fill date function.

Step 1: Select and Enter Your Starting Date

The first step in using Excel’s auto-fill date function is to select the starting date. You can do this by clicking on the cell that you want to enter the date into. Once the cell is selected, enter the starting date into the cell. You can enter the date in any of the standard date formats (mm/dd/yyyy, dd/mm/yyyy, etc).

Step 2: Select the Date Fill Handle

Once the starting date is entered, you need to select the date fill handle. The date fill handle is a small black square that appears in the bottom right corner of the cell when you click on it. Once you have selected the date fill handle, you can drag it to the range of cells that you want to fill with dates.

Step 3: Enter the Date Range

Now that you have selected the date fill handle, you need to enter the date range that you want to use for auto-filling. You can do this by typing in the number of days or months that you want to fill in the range. For example, if you want to fill in the next five days, you would type “5” in the box. You can also enter a specific date range, such as “from 1/1/2020 to 1/5/2020”.

Step 4: Select the Fill Option

Once you have entered the date range, you need to select the fill option. You can choose between days, weeks, months, and years. Depending on your selection, Excel will fill in the dates accordingly. For example, if you select “days”, it will fill in the next five days from the starting date.

Step 5: Auto-Fill the Dates

Finally, once you have selected the fill option, you can auto-fill the dates by clicking on the “Fill” button. Excel will then fill in the date range that you selected with the dates that correspond to the fill option that you chose.

Tips for Auto-Filling Dates in Excel

There are a few tips that can help make auto-filling dates in Excel easier. First, make sure that the starting date is in the same format as the other dates in the range. This will make it easier for Excel to fill in the dates correctly. Second, you can also use the fill handle to quickly fill in a range of cells with the same value. For example, if you want to fill in a range of cells with the value “1”, you can click on the fill handle and drag it across the range of cells. Excel will then fill in the cells with the value “1”.

Using Excel’s Date Functions

Excel also has a number of date functions that can be used to quickly enter dates. For example, the TODAY() function will enter the current date into a cell. You can also use the TEXT() function to format the date in any way you like. For example, you can use the TEXT() function to enter the date in the format “January 1, 2020”.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

You can also use keyboard shortcuts to quickly enter dates into Excel. For example, the shortcut “Ctrl + ;” will enter the current date into the selected cell. You can also use the shortcut “Ctrl + Shift + ;” to enter the current time into a cell.

Using Date Formulas

Excel also has a number of date formulas that can be used to quickly enter dates. For example, the EDATE() formula will add a specified number of months to a date. You can also use the EOMONTH() formula to quickly find the last day of the month.

Related FAQ

What is the AutoFill feature in Excel?

The AutoFill feature in Excel is a useful tool that allows you to quickly and easily fill in a range of cells with a series of values. Specifically, it is a feature that can be used to automatically fill in a series of cells with a sequence of specified values such as dates, times, or numbers. This can be a great timesaver when it comes to entering data into a spreadsheet.

How do I use AutoFill in Excel?

Using the AutoFill feature in Excel is relatively straightforward. First, select the cell that contains the starting value for your series. Then, hover your mouse pointer over the lower-right corner of the cell until you see the AutoFill handle, which looks like a small black cross. Click and drag the handle to the end of the range of cells you want to fill. Excel will automatically fill in the range with the specified values.

How do I AutoFill dates in Excel?

To AutoFill a range of dates in Excel, select the starting date and then click and drag the AutoFill handle to the end of the range. Excel will automatically fill in the dates in between the starting and ending dates. If you wish to specify a step size for the dates, such as every other day, you can do so by double-clicking on the AutoFill handle and then entering the desired step size.

What is the shortcut for AutoFill in Excel?

The shortcut for AutoFill in Excel is Ctrl + D. This shortcut will fill the selected cell with the contents of the cell above it. It is a useful shortcut for quickly filling in a range of cells with data that follows a pattern.

How do I create an AutoFill list in Excel?

Creating an AutoFill list in Excel is a great way to quickly enter data into a spreadsheet. To create an AutoFill list, first select the cells containing the list entries that you want to use. Then, click the File tab, click Options, and click Advanced. Under the Editing Options section, check the checkbox for “Allow AutoFill” and then click OK. Finally, select the cell where you want to start the list, and click and drag the AutoFill handle over the range of cells that you want to fill.

How do I edit an AutoFill list in Excel?

If you need to edit an AutoFill list in Excel, first select the cell containing the starting value for the list. Then, double-click the AutoFill handle to open the AutoFill Options dialog box. From here, you can edit the list by adding or deleting entries, as well as changing the step size. Once you are finished editing the list, click OK to apply the changes.

AutoFill Dates in Excel – Days, Weekdays, Months & Years

In conclusion, Excel offers a great and easy way to fill in dates quickly and easily. With the help of AutoFill, users can easily fill in dates in sequence, or to repeat dates at regular intervals. The ability to fill in dates can be a huge time saver, and can help users to create tables, charts, and graphs quickly and easily. With a few simple clicks, users can create accurate and organized documents, perfect for any project.