How to insert dates in Excel - add today's date, auto fill a column with dates

This tutorial demonstrates various ways of entering dates in Excel. See how to insert today's date and current time as static time stamp or dynamic values, how to auto populate a column or row with weekdays, and how to auto fill random dates in Excel.

There are several ways to add dates in Excel depending on what exactly you want to do. For example, do you want to enter a today's date in some report or invoice? Or, perhaps you want to insert a date in Excel that will update automatically and always display the current date and time? Or, maybe you want to auto fill weekdays or input random dates in your worksheet?

In a moment, you will learn all these and a few more date entering techniques. If you are curious to know how Excel stores dates and times, please check out part 1 of this tutorial - Excel date format.

How to enter a date in Excel

You can type a date in an Excel cell in a variety of ways, for example 1/1/2015, or 1-Jan-2015, or 1-Jan, or January 1, 2015. When you type something like that in a cell, Microsoft Excel knows you are entering a date and automatically applies the date format to that cell. Quite often, Excel formats the newly inserted date according to your Windows default date settings, but sometimes it may leave it exactly as you typed.

The most obvious visual indication that Excel has recognized the date you've entered is its right-alignment in a cell as opposed to left-aligned text values.
Various ways to enter a date in Excel

If Excel has failed to recognize your input as a date and you see it left-justified in a cell, try inserting a date in some other format close to your default short or long date formats. These formats are marked with an asterisk (*) in the Format Cell dialog window and you can quickly access them on the Excel ribbon (Home tab > Number group):
The default short or long date formats in Excel

You will be able to easily change the date format later via the Format Cells dialog that opens on the Ctrl + 1 shortcut. For more details, please see How to change the date format in Excel.

Note. If a date you've entered displays as a number of pound signs (#####) in a cell, most likely the cell is not wide enough to fit the entire date. To fix this, double-click the right border of the column to auto fit the date, or drag the right border to set the desired column width. If this does not help, please check other Excel date format troubleshooting tips.

Tip. The fact that Excel automatically recognizes the entered value as a date may not always be what you actually want. We have some tips on how to avoid automatic data formatting.

Inserting today's date and current time in Excel

In Microsoft Excel, you can input the current date and time either as a static or dynamic value.

Shortcuts to enter today date in Excel (as a timestamp)

To begin with, let's define what timestamp is. Timestamping is entering a "static date" that won't change with the course of time or when the spreadsheet is recalculated.

So, if your goal is to enter the current date and/or time as a static value that won't automatically update the next day, you can use one of the following shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + ; shortcut inserts the today date in a cell.
  • Ctrl + Shift + ; shortcut inserts the current time.
  • To enter the current date and time, press Ctrl + ; then press the Space key, and then Ctrl + Shift + ;.

The shortcuts to insert today's date in Excel

Insert an automatically updatable today's date and current time

If you want to input today's date in Excel that will always remain up to date, use one of the following Excel date functions:

=TODAY() - inserts the today date in a cell.

=NOW() - inserts the today date and current time in a cell.
Inserting an automatically updatable today's date and current time

Unlike Excel date shortcuts, the TODAY and NOW functions will always return today's date and current time.

When using the Excel date functions, please keep in mind that:

  • The returned date and time are not refreshed continuously, they are updated only when the spreadsheet is re-opened or re-calculated, or when a macro containing the function is run.
  • The functions take the current date and time from your computer's system clock.

How to insert today date & current time as unchangeable time stamp

This section addresses a handful of comments that have been posted on this page with one and the same question: "What formula do I use to enter a timestamp in my Excel sheet without it changing every time the worksheet is reopened or recalculated?"

For starters, I'd like to note that I'm very hesitant to post this solution because it involves circular references, and they should be treated with great care. Anyway, here goes the formula…

Let's say you have a list of items in column A, and as soon as a certain item is shipped, you enter "Yes" in the Delivery column, which is column B. Once "Yes" is in there, you want to have the current date and time automatically inserted in the same row in column C as a static unchangeable time stamp.

To do this, we are going to use the following nested IF formula with circular references in the second IF function:

=IF(B2="yes", IF(C2="" ,NOW(), C2), "")

Where B is the Delivery column, and C2 is the cell where you input the formula and where the time stamp will eventually appear.
A circular formula to insert a time stamp in Excel

In the above formula, the first IF function checks cell B2 for the word "Yes" (or any other text you supply to the formula), and if the specified text is there, it runs the second IF function, otherwise returns an empty string. And the second IF is a circular formula that makes the NOW function return the current day and time if C2 doesn't have a value in it already, thus saving all existing time stamps.

If instead of checking for any specific word, you want the timestamp to appear when you put anything in the specified cell (that could be any number, text or date), then have the first IF function to check for a non-empty cell, like this:

=IF(B2<>"", IF(C2="" ,NOW(), C2), "")

Note. For this Excel circular formula to work, you should allow iterative calculations in your worksheet. Also, please keep in mind that there are many reasons not to use circular references in Excel, and if you decide to apply this solution in your worksheets, it's on your own risk.

How to auto populate dates in Excel

If you need to insert dates in a range of cells, you can let Excel "auto date" a column or row by using the AutoFill feature as demonstrated below or make a date sequence with formulas as explained in the above-linked tutorial.

Auto fill a date series that increases by one day

To automatically fill a column or row with an incrementing date series that increases by one day, you use Excel's AutoFill feature in the usual way:

  1. Enter your initial date in the first cell.
  2. Click on the cell with the first date to select it, and then drag the fill handle across or down the cells where you want Excel to add dates. (The fill handle is a small green square that appears at the bottom-right corner when you select a cell or a range of cells in Excel, as shown in the screenshot below.)

Auto filling a date series that increases by one day

Auto fill weekdays, months or years

There are two ways to automatically populate the selected range of cells with weekdays, months or years.

  • You can use the Excel AutoFill options as described above. When the range is populated with sequential dates, click the AutoFill Options icon and select the option you want:
    This is how you auto fill weekdays in Excel.
  • Another way is to enter your first date, right-click the fill handle and drag the fill handle through the cells you want to auto fill with dates, and then release it. When you do, Excel displays a context menu and you select the appropriate option from it.
    Another way to auto populate weekdays, months or years in Excel

Auto insert every 2nd, 3rd or Nth day

If you've tried a second solution described above, you probably noticed the Series option near the bottom, which provides a few more auto date features. One of them is inserting every 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. day, month or year in a worksheet. Let's try this now:

  1. Add the first date in some cell.
  2. Select that cell, right-click on the fill handle, drag it down or across several cells, and then release.
  3. In the context menu, click Series.
  4. In the Series dialog box, choose the appropriate Date unit and enter the Step value.
  5. Click OK.

Inserting every 2nd, 3rd or Nth day automatically

How to inset random dates in Excel

Regrettably, Microsoft Excel does not provide an option to enter random dates automatically. Luckily, AbleBits Random Generator for Excel does :)

You simply select a range of cells where you want to autofill dates in a random order, and switch to the Random Generator's pane where you specify:

  • Start and End date;
  • What days to add - weekdays, weekends or both;
  • To add only unique dates, check the Unique values

Then you click the Generate button, and have the selected range populated with random dates.
Inserting random dates in Excel

Apart from dates, the Random Generator add-in can auto fill your worksheets with numbers, Boolean vales and custom lists. If you think this is something that would be useful in your work, you can get it as part of our Ultimate Suite for Excel that includes 70+ time-saving tools and over 300 useful features.

If you are setting up a spreadsheet for other users, and want to make sure they enter dates right, it may be a good idea to insert a drop-down calendar in a worksheet. Your users will be able to fill in dates in a mouse click and you will be 100% confident that all dates are entered in an appropriate format.

If you are using a 32-bit version of Excel, you can use Microsoft's Date Picker control. For the detailed instructions, please see How to insert calendar in Excel (Date Picker control).

If you are using a 64-bit version of Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Microsoft's Date Picker control won't do. In this case, consider using one of the third-party calendars, for example our own one :)

Ablebits drop-down calendar for Excel

For more options, please see third-party drop-down calendars for Excel.

This is how you insert date in Excel. I am hopeful these date entering techniques, shortcuts, functions and Excel auto date features have proved useful to you. Anyway, thank you for reading!

Table of contents

442 comments

  1. I want to today's date to be auto filled in 'column A' whenever a data is entered in 'Column B'. Is this possible?

    • Hi! Pay attention to the following paragraph of the article above: Formula to insert today date & current time as unchangeable time stamp.
      It covers your case completely.

  2. I am trying to figure out how to make a sequential number come up in a cell each time you open the worksheet? I know it can be done but am having a hard time finding it.

    Thank you

  3. Hi, i am looking to add a fixed date the following month based on the date in a cell is there an easy way?

  4. Hi, I am working on a qualifications spreadsheet to allow a reader to view when a workers qualifications are going to expire. Next to each name there is an expiry date which has been hyperlinked to a document (the qualification). I have been requested to colour code these expiry dates with the below:

    red- when the date has expired
    orange- when the date has 3 months remaining
    green- when the date has more than 6 months remaining.

    I need the links to automatically change, so turn from green to orange for example, on its own.

    please can you help with this? Thanks

  5. Hi there,
    I have a problem and don't see anyone having a similar quastion above. I have 20.000 rows with dates from a database and I need to insert the missing dates between the rows.I have sorted the column by date from oldest to newest. I can do it manually but it will take ages. Is there any other way to do it ? or any suggestions?
    Alexander

      • thank you very much sir. I will look up to it right now

  6. I love this community; it saves me many times a week it seems...

    I have a problem I've yet to find a solution to though... I need to fill multiple rows (7) with today's date, then the next 7 with tomorrows date, etc. for a full year.

    So,
    1/26/23
    1/26/23
    1/26/23
    1/26/23
    1/26/23
    1/26/23
    1/26/23
    1/27/23
    1/27/23
    1/27/23
    1/27/23
    1/27/23
    1/27/23
    1/27/23

    Etc..

    Please tell me there's a method that isn't manual?

    Thanks in advance!

  7. I am looking for a way to autofill a cell with a date two weeks in advance of current date when the cell before it has an input of 'Yes'.

      • I'm a little new on this, I'm trying to find or get a formula for inventory, Sheet1 (Inventory) and sheet2 (weekly Inventory)
        I have the date setup on sheet1 to change by Date
        Here come the problem
        I will like for counts or inventory to pass from inventory sheet , to Sheet2 by date

        Example: on Friday, 100 marbles and 50 table cloth was sold, it is on B5 and B6 on Sheet1
        on Saturday 10 marbles and 10 table cloth, on sheet2 (Weekly) I will like that to be on Friday on E5 and E6
        and Saturday on H5 and H6 so I can Sum the week
        keep in mind that I will remove the Inventory from sheet1 to reuse it the following day
        but don't want the info on Shee2 to change.
        Not sure if I'm explaining correctly, but I need some help on this.

          • Thanks, for the fast responds
            I think I use the wrong term, and did not explain my self correctly, not data but the information (Numbers) of sales
            I re-wrote the question to try to explain it a little better. Thanks in advance.

            Example:
            On Friday, I sold 100 marbles and 50 table cloth, - It is on B5 and B6 on Sheet1
            On Saturday I sold, 10 marbles and 10 table cloth,
            On sheet2 (Weekly) I will like that to be on Column Friday on E5 and E6 and on Column Saturday it's on H5 and H6,
            so I can Sum the entire week
            keep in mind that I will use Sheet1 Inventory on the daily bases, so I will change the amount Sold
            but don't want the info on Shee2 to change, since the date is now Saturday and Friday sheet should not be affected by Saturday sales.

            Not sure if I'm explaining correctly, but I need some help on this.

            • I think I explain it a little better here, !Sorry

              I'm a little new on this, I'm trying to find or get a formula for inventory, Sheet1 (Inventory) and sheet2 (weekly Inventory)
              I have the date setup on sheet1 to change by Date
              Here come the problem
              I will like to have the inventory to pass from Sheet1 , to Sheet2 by date.

              Example:
              On Friday, I sold 100 marbles and 50 table cloth, - It is on B5 and B6 on Sheet1
              On Saturday I sold, 10 marbles and 10 table cloth,
              I will like that information to be on Column Friday on sheet2 on E5 and E6 and on Column Saturday it's on H5 and H6,
              so I can Sum the entire week
              keep in mind that I will use Sheet1 Inventory on the daily bases, so I will change the amount Sold at the end of the day
              but don't want the info on Shee2, Column E to change, since the date is now Saturday, Column H, and Friday Column should not be affected by Saturday sales because the date has change to Saturday,
              Column H, is Saturday Column.

            • Hi!
              You can solve the problem using formulas if you replace the formulas with their values. You can try writing a macro that copies your data to different cells on Sheet2 depending on the day of the week.

  8. Hi,

    I'm trying to create an excel template that will update dates based on when I create the sheet to be the previous 2 Mondays. (this is to create a bi weekly report)

  9. Hi there,

    Can you please assist with a function where the time entered automatically updates the day

    Example
    Date Started Date Stopped
    1-Jan-23 2-Jan-23

    If i should enter time like 9:00 am which is within 1-Jan-23.. that doesnt change but if i enter 3:00 am, it will automatically update the date to 2-Jan 23.

    Thanks

    Henry

    • Hi!
      I am not sure I fully understand what you mean. Why is 9:00 a.m. January 1st and 3:00 a.m. January 2nd? What is the date at 5:00?

  10. Hi, I have worked out the formula I need but I am unable to get the data to auto-populate when I type into one of the columns.

    My formula works is in 2 columns, the first one works out a date 3 months on, the 2nd column works out a date 6 months on.

    Example
    Column B 1st Column 2nd Column
    02.12.2022 (date 3 months on from B2 is calculated) (date 6 months on from B2 is calculated)

    When I type a new date into column B, I would like the dates to automatically populate in the 1st and 2nd columns. The formula works fine but I can't get it to automatically do it when I type a new date under the last one in B. I have checked all the obvious things in options and calculation being set to automatic.

    I hope you can help.

  11. Anyone can help me how to apply in excel like date of expiration in contract and remind me the date in the same day occur.

  12. I have a contact sheet with websites & passwords I would like to add a "last updated" column to it. How do I have excel automatically updated the date in that column whenever anything is changed on the row for the contact?

  13. Hi,

    Good day.

    How can I put EDA in a column next to the date the item will be ready.

    Many thanks
    Sami

  14. I'm creating a document that needs to show due dates of assignments, and would like it to auto fill based on how many days the assignment is due. Example: I will have a place for today's date, below is a list of assignments that range from 3 days to 10 months that are due, and I would like it to auto fill when I put todays date in when each assignment is due. Can anyone help?

      • Hood day Hope you can help me?

        i would like to calculate interest from selected dated - that I can do BUT
        i would like to have a description Colum I used the following "formula" Colum B has the dates
        =CONCAT("Interest on outstanding capital from ",B51," to ",B52)

        but i get this as a result Interest on outstanding capital from 42527 to 42571

        i have colum B as a date Culum - Short date

        i hope im clear with my query

        Thank you in advance

        Awie

  15. Greetings,

    Please help with excel formula.

    I have got a sheet with employees' hire date in the organisation. In terms of the BCEA and company policy, each employee's sick leave is running for three year cycle.

    I need a formula to calculate when does each employee's three cycle is ending. The formula must cater for those employees who started with the organisation long years ago (e.g. 1980-Oct-01). How to calculate the next 3 year cycle using employee 's hire date?

    • Hi!
      The information you provided is not enough to understand your case and give you any advice, sorry. Give an example of the source data and the expected result.

  16. Dear all,
    I don't know Excel have function as below or not:
    1. Production plan at cell: A1:A1= 24Boxes ( When 8:00AM)
    2. Would like to set up function at B2:B2 (need to setup function to capture data from A1:A1 when 9:00AM)
    3. After 5:00PM Update Actual output=22Boxes into A1:A1, But no need Data of B2:B2 change(Still need 24boxes)
    *** The question: How can i do?

    • Hi!
      You can use the IF function to update the value of a cell after 09:00 or some other time. Try this formula:

      =IF(NOW()>TIME(9,0,0),A1,"")

      If this is not what you wanted, please describe the problem in more detail.

  17. my date appears as 1/0/1900. what am i doing wrong?

  18. Hey,
    I am trying to find a way of getting the excel to return the date when a specific field in a table is set to 'yes'. So whenever I set 'J' cell to yes I need the spreadsheet to show the day it was set to yes in another column.
    Below is the formula I came across but it is not exactly what I expected.

    =IF(J4="yes",TEXT(TODAY(),"mm/dd/yyyy"),"") function kind of works but my issue is that I need the excel to show the exact date when 'J' cells are set to yes.

    Any feedback would be highly appreciated.
    Thank you

  19. Hello, back in October 2021 you wrote a formula for me to convert this type of date stamp : Jan 10, 2022 07:02 AM to 10/01/22. This worked well but did not work where the date was a single digit eg. Jan 4, 2022 04:50 PM. You gave me the updated formula but unfortunately it has been over written. Can you re-cap how to amend this formula to cater for single digit dates?

    =DATE(MID(A2,FIND("~",SUBSTITUTE(A2," ","~",2),1)+1,4), VLOOKUP(LEFT(A2,3), {"JAN",1;"FEB",2;"MAR",3;"APR",4;"May",5;"JUN",6;"JUL",7;"AUG",8;"Sep",9;"OCT",10;"NOV",11;"DEC",12},2,0), MID(A2,FIND(" ",A2,1)+1,2))

    Thank you in advance, Laura

  20. how can I automatically get 2nd December by typing 2/12 (dd/mm) instead of 12/2 (mm/dd)?
    Thanks

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