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How to Fill Dates in Excel?

Published in Excel Dates 3 mins read

You can easily fill dates in Excel with sequential dates using the fill handle. Here's how:

Using the Fill Handle

This is the simplest and most common method:

  1. Select the cell containing the initial date.
  2. Locate the fill handle: This is the small square at the bottom-right corner of the selected cell.
  3. Click and drag: Click and hold the fill handle, then drag it across the adjacent cells (either horizontally or vertically) where you want the sequential dates to appear. Excel will automatically fill in the dates.

Customizing the Date Sequence

Excel offers customization options for filling date series:

  1. Fill Options: After dragging the fill handle, a small "Auto Fill Options" icon will appear. Click this icon.
  2. Choose your sequence: Select the desired date increment:
    • Fill Series: This is the default, filling consecutive dates.
    • Fill Days: Fills consecutive days.
    • Fill Weekdays: Fills only weekdays, skipping weekends.
    • Fill Months: Fills the same day of consecutive months.
    • Fill Years: Fills the same day and month of consecutive years.

Using the Series Feature

For more control, especially when filling non-adjacent cells or creating more complex patterns, use the "Series" feature:

  1. Select the cell containing the initial date.
  2. Go to the "Home" tab.
  3. In the "Editing" group, click "Fill" then "Series..."
  4. In the "Series" dialog box:
    • Series in: Choose "Rows" or "Columns" depending on the direction you want the dates to fill.
    • Type: Select "Date".
    • Date unit: Choose the date increment ("Day," "Weekday," "Month," or "Year").
    • Step value: Enter the increment value (e.g., "1" for consecutive days, "7" for weekly increments).
    • Stop value: Enter the final date for the series (or leave blank to fill until you stop it manually).
  5. Click "OK".

Examples

  • Filling consecutive dates: Start with "1/1/2024," drag the fill handle, and Excel will fill "1/2/2024," "1/3/2024," and so on.
  • Filling only weekdays: Start with "1/1/2024," drag the fill handle, select "Fill Weekdays" from the fill options, and Excel will skip weekends.
  • Filling monthly dates: Start with "1/15/2024," use the "Series" feature, select "Months," and set the step value to "1." Excel will fill "2/15/2024," "3/15/2024," and so on.

These methods provide flexibility in filling dates according to your specific needs within Excel.

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