How To Fill In Dates On Google Sheets? Easy Steps

Are you tired of manually entering dates into your Google Sheets? Do you want to save time and reduce errors? Filling in dates on Google Sheets can be a daunting task, especially when you have a large dataset. However, with the right techniques and tools, you can make the process much easier and efficient. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to fill in dates on Google Sheets, including using formulas, functions, and add-ons. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, this guide will help you master the art of filling in dates on Google Sheets.

Understanding Dates in Google Sheets

Before we dive into the steps, it’s essential to understand how dates work in Google Sheets. Google Sheets uses a specific format to represent dates, which is YYYY-MM-DD. This format is used by default when you enter a date in a cell. However, you can also use other formats, such as MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY, depending on your regional settings.

Types of Dates in Google Sheets

Google Sheets supports two types of dates: serial numbers and text dates.

Serial numbers: These are the underlying numbers that represent dates in Google Sheets. Serial numbers are used by formulas and functions to perform calculations and comparisons.
Text dates: These are the human-readable representations of dates, such as “January 1, 2022” or “2022-01-01”. Text dates are used for display purposes only.

Date Formats in Google Sheets

Google Sheets supports various date formats, including:

YYYY-MM-DD
MM/DD/YYYY
DD/MM/YYYY
MM/DD/YY
DD/MM/YY

These formats can be used when entering dates in cells or when using formulas and functions to manipulate dates.

Filling in Dates with Formulas

One of the most common ways to fill in dates on Google Sheets is by using formulas. Formulas allow you to perform calculations and comparisons using serial numbers and text dates.

Using the TODAY() Function

The TODAY() function returns the current date in the format YYYY-MM-DD. You can use this function to fill in dates in a range of cells.

=TODAY()

This formula will return the current date in the cell. To fill in a range of cells, select the cells and enter the formula in the first cell. Then, drag the fill handle (the small square at the bottom-right corner of the cell) to the other cells.

Using the EOMONTH() Function

The EOMONTH() function returns the last day of the month for a given date. You can use this function to fill in dates for a range of months.

=EOMONTH(A1, 0)

This formula will return the last day of the month for the date in cell A1. To fill in a range of cells, select the cells and enter the formula in the first cell. Then, drag the fill handle to the other cells. (See Also: How to Make Google Sheets Public? Easy Steps)

Using the DATE() Function

The DATE() function returns a date from a given year, month, and day. You can use this function to fill in dates for a range of cells.

=DATE(2022, 1, 1)

This formula will return the date January 1, 2022. To fill in a range of cells, select the cells and enter the formula in the first cell. Then, drag the fill handle to the other cells.

Filling in Dates with Functions

Google Sheets provides several functions to manipulate dates, including:

DATE

The DATE function returns a date from a given year, month, and day.

=DATE(2022, 1, 1)

DATEVALUE

The DATEVALUE function converts a text date to a serial number.

=DATEVALUE("January 1, 2022")

TODAY

The TODAY function returns the current date in the format YYYY-MM-DD.

=TODAY()

NOW

The NOW function returns the current date and time in the format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.

=NOW()

Filling in Dates with Add-ons

Google Sheets provides several add-ons to help you fill in dates, including: (See Also: How Do You Add a Formula in Google Sheets? Mastering the Basics)

Date Picker Add-on

The Date Picker add-on allows you to select a date from a calendar and enter it into a cell.

To install the Date Picker add-on, follow these steps:

Open your Google Sheet.
Click on the “Add-ons” menu.
Search for “Date Picker” and select the add-on.
Click on the “Install” button.

Once installed, you can select a date from the calendar by clicking on the “Date Picker” button in the toolbar.

AutoFill Add-on

The AutoFill add-on allows you to automatically fill in dates and other data into a range of cells.

To install the AutoFill add-on, follow these steps:

Open your Google Sheet.
Click on the “Add-ons” menu.
Search for “AutoFill” and select the add-on.
Click on the “Install” button.

Once installed, you can select a range of cells and click on the “AutoFill” button to fill in the dates and other data.

Recap

In this guide, we covered the following topics:

Understanding dates in Google Sheets.
Types of dates in Google Sheets.
Date formats in Google Sheets.
Filling in dates with formulas.
Filling in dates with functions.
Filling in dates with add-ons.

We hope this guide has been helpful in teaching you how to fill in dates on Google Sheets. Remember to practice regularly to become proficient in using formulas, functions, and add-ons to manipulate dates.

FAQs

How do I enter a date in a cell?

To enter a date in a cell, simply type the date in the format YYYY-MM-DD or MM/DD/YYYY, and press Enter. You can also use the TODAY() function to enter the current date.

How do I fill in a range of cells with dates?

To fill in a range of cells with dates, select the cells and enter a formula or function that returns the date. Then, drag the fill handle to the other cells.

How do I use the TODAY() function to fill in dates?

To use the TODAY() function to fill in dates, select the cells and enter the formula =TODAY(). Then, drag the fill handle to the other cells.

How do I use the DATE() function to fill in dates?

To use the DATE() function to fill in dates, select the cells and enter the formula =DATE(2022, 1, 1). Then, drag the fill handle to the other cells.

How do I install the Date Picker add-on?