How to Autofill Dates in Excel

Welcome to our blog post on how to autofill dates in Excel. If you regularly work with large sets of data in Excel, you understand the importance of efficient data entry. One way to save time and reduce errors is by using Excel’s autofill feature. In this tutorial, we will guide you through an easy-to-follow step-by-step process that will help you quickly and accurately autofill dates in Excel.

Step 1: Create a Starting Date

The first step in autofilling dates in Excel is to create a starting date. Pick a cell, and then key in the starting date where you want the date series to begin. This will help Excel recognize the date pattern you want to repeat as you autofill.

Step 2: Highlight the Starting Date

Once you have entered the starting date, click on the cell and drag the mouse down to highlight the cell you have just entered, and the cells where you want the date series to auto populate.

Step 3: Look for the Fill Handle

At the bottom right corner of the highlighted cell or range of cells, you will see a tiny black square, which is called the fill handle.

Step 4: Click and Drag the Fill Handle

Next, click and drag the fill handle as far as you want the date series to go. In this example, we are going to use the fill handle to create a series of dates for the month of January 2021.

Step 5: Select the Right Autofill Option

Once you release the mouse, a menu will pop up asking you to select the Autofill option you want to use. In this case, select the “Fill Days” or “Fill Weekdays” option depending on the type of date series you want to create.

Step 6: Check Your Dates

After selecting the appropriate Autofill option, Excel will automatically generate the date series you wanted. Check the series to make sure it is accurate and complete.

Quick Tip

You can use this same autofill feature to create series for months, years, days of the week, and even custom lists. You just need to enter a few of the list items and use the fill handle.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Autofill Dates in Excel

The steps outlined above require that you drag and drop the fill handle to generate the date series you want. However, there is an easier way. You can use a keyboard shortcut to autofill dates in Excel, which eliminates the drag and drop procedure.

To do this:

1. Select the cell with the starting date.
2. Press and hold down the Ctrl key and press the letter D key. This will autofill the date down the column or row until the end of the range.

Voila! Your dates have been autofilled using a keyboard shortcut.

Customizing Date Formats in Autofill

By default, autofill will complete the date series in the same format as the starting date. This may not be the format you prefer. Fortunately, Excel gives you the option to customize the default date format.

To do this:

1. Right-click on any cell within the date series and select “Format Cells.”
2. In the “Format Cells” dialog box, select “Date” from the left-hand side options.
3. Select your desired date format from the options provided.
4. Click “OK” to save your changes.

Autofilling dates in Excel is a simple and efficient way to save time when working with large sets of data. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you will be able to create date series effortlessly, and reduce errors. With the added keyboard shortcuts and customization options available, you can further customize your autofill experience. Happy Excel-ing!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about autofilling dates in Excel:

Can I autofill multiple date series at once?

Yes, you can autofill multiple date series at once. Simply highlight all the cells where you want the date series to appear, then follow the steps outlined above.

What if my date series skips weekends?

If you want your date series to skip weekends, select the “Fill Weekdays” option in the Autofill menu, instead of the “Fill Days” option.

Can I use Autofill for non-consecutive dates, e.g., every other day?

Yes, you can use Autofill for non-consecutive dates. Simply enter the first two dates in the sequence and then drag the fill handle down, while holding down the “Ctrl” key. When you release the mouse, you will see a pop-up menu. Choose the “Fill Days” or “Fill Weekdays” option, depending on your preference.

Can I use Autofill for date ranges spanning several years?

Yes, you can use Autofill for date ranges spanning several years. Once you have entered the starting date, drag the fill handle down as far as you need. The dates will be autofilled for you, regardless of how many years are covered in the series.

Can I customize the date format when autofilling?

Yes, you can customize the date format when autofilling. Simply follow the steps outlined above in the “Customizing Date Formats in Autofill” section of this post.