Google Sheets Date Picker Calendar Dropdown Guide

Ever spotted those handy Google Sheets date pickers and thought, “I need that!”?

Many folks simply call them Google Sheets calendar dropdowns.

I remember the first time I discovered them. I needed a way for dates to be entered without any mistakes being made. That’s when I stumbled upon Google Sheets date pickers, and everything changed. Not only did it streamline my data entry process, but they also added a touch of professionalism to my spreadsheets.

Now, when I collaborate with my team or share my sheets with clients, they immediately notice the difference. Those sleek date pickers not only make my sheets more user-friendly but also give them a polished look. It’s incredible how such a small feature can have such a significant impact.

These little features can be game-changers, making date input a breeze and reducing errors. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to create and use them in your spreadsheets.

What is a Date Picker?

Typically, when we require a date in a spreadsheet, our instinct is to manually enter it into a cell. But there is a smarter way!

A date picker, or otherwise known as a calendar dropdown, is a graphical element that allows users to select a date from a calendar. In Google Sheets, it simplifies the process of entering dates accurately.

Why Use a Google Sheets Date Picker?

1. Error Reduction

Manually typing dates can lead to errors. With the date picker, you can avoid mistakes and ensure consistency in your data.

2. Time-Saving

Selecting dates from a calendar is much quicker than typing them out. It’s a time-saving feature that boosts productivity.

3. Enhanced Readability

Dates entered using the date picker are displayed in a standardized format, making your spreadsheet more consistent.

3. Monthly Calendar View

Since there is a calendar that pops up, it allows to user to view where in the week or month the date falls before they select the date. This offers clarity and simplicity knowing if the date falls on a weekday or weekend. They can also avoid holidays and other important dates.

How to Make the Date Picker Appear?

To make the calendar dropdown appear simply double click on the cell with a valid date and voila! The mini calendar dropdown will appear below the cell.

Note that for this to work the date needs to be a valid date.

If it does not appear, check your Google Sheet to make sure the date is formatted properly OR use data validation to insert the Google Sheets date picker. We cover all of this below!

How to Create the Date Picker?

To access the date picker in Google Sheets, there are a couple of ways to do this. The first way involves simply entering a date and the other is using data validation.

Adding a Date Picker: The Quickest Way

Begin by entering a date into a cell using a valid format. It is important that the format is valid such 9/3/2023.

Now when you double click that cell you should see the calendar dropdown appear.

Alternatively you can type any number in the cell and then change the cell’s format to ‘Date’ by going to ‘Format’ -> ‘Number’ -> ‘Date.’ Once that’s done, just double-click on the cell. You’ll notice a date picker pop up right next to the newly formatted cell.

With these steps, you can easily set up a calendar feature right within your Google Sheets.

What if you prefer the cell to stay empty until someone actually selects a date? To achieve this, you can follow the data validation method outlined below.

Adding a Date Picker: Using Data Validation

Begin by clicking on the specific cell or group of cells where you want to activate the handy calendar or date picker.

Head to the ‘Data’ menu at the top.

Within the ‘Data’ menu, locate and select ‘Data validation.’

When you do this, a new ‘Data validation’ window will pop up on your screen. Click to to add a new rule by selecting + add rule.

Inside this window, you’ll notice a dropdown menu next to ‘Criteria:’; simply click on it and choose ‘Date’ from the available options.

Now, select ‘is valid date‘ field, and make sure to choose the ‘Reject input’ option.

Don’t forget to save your changes by clicking the ‘Done’ button.

As a bonus, you can include a popup note in the cell to guide users to double-click it to access the calendar.

And there you have it! You can now easily access the date picker by simply double-clicking on the cell or cells where you’ve set up the data validation.

Customizing the Date Picker

1. Date Format

Google Sheets allows you to customize the date format according to your preference. Whether you prefer MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY, it’s your choice. Head to Format -> Number -> Custom date and time and change the settings to your preference.

2. Language Settings

You can also change the language settings of the date picker to make it more user-friendly for a global audience.

Once you’ve opened a Google Sheets document and clicked on “File” in the top-left corner, select “Spreadsheet settings” from the dropdown menu. In the “Spreadsheet settings” window, you’ll find a crucial option labeled “Display Language.” Click on the dropdown menu next to it, which will reveal a list of available languages. This will open a new screen to add more languages to your Google Sheets. Follow the instructions and then save the settings.

Advanced Date Functions

Are you looking for more advanced ways you can use the Google Sheets date picker? Try these the next time you need a mini calendar dropdown to appear!

• Calculating Date Differences: Leverage the date picker to effortlessly calculate the difference between two dates. This functionality proves invaluable for tasks like tracking project timelines, calculating employee tenure, or monitoring product delivery times.
• Conditional Formatting: Harness the power of conditional formatting by applying it to dates selected through the date picker. You can easily highlight critical events or impending deadlines in your spreadsheet. Whether it’s marking due dates in red or signaling upcoming milestones, conditional formatting makes date-based data more visually intuitive.
• Date-Based Formulas: Dive into date-based formulas to perform complex calculations. Explore functions like “DATEDIF” to calculate the number of days, months, or years between two dates, or use “WORKDAY” to exclude weekends and holidays when computing delivery dates or project durations.
• Automated Reminders: Create automated reminder systems by combining date picker selections with Google Apps Script. Send email notifications or trigger specific actions when a selected date approaches, ensuring you never miss an important event or task deadline.
• Dynamic Gantt Charts: Construct dynamic Gantt charts by integrating date picker selections into your Google Sheets. These interactive visual timelines are ideal for project management, enabling you to schedule and monitor tasks with precision.
• Date Aggregation: Aggregate and summarize data based on dates using functions like “SUMIF” or “COUNTIF.” For instance, you can easily calculate the total sales for a specific month or count the number of tasks completed within a week.
• Custom Date Formats: Tailor date display formats to meet your specific needs. Adjust how dates appear in your spreadsheet by using the “Format” options, making it easier for you and your team to understand and work with date-based information.
• Time Zones and International Dates: Handle international or multi-timezone data seamlessly. Google Sheets accommodates date and time information from various regions, ensuring accuracy in global collaborations and data analysis.

These advanced date functions extend the capabilities of Google Sheets, allowing you to work more efficiently, gain deeper insights from your data, and improve your overall spreadsheet productivity.

Conclusion

The Google Sheets date picker is a small yet powerful tool that can significantly improve your data management and analysis processes. By reducing errors, saving time, and enhancing readability, it contributes to a more efficient workflow. Take advantage of its customization options and advanced functions to harness its full potential.

FAQs

1. How Do I Insert a Date Picker in Google Sheets?:: To insert a date picker in Google Sheets, simply double-click on a cell with the date format set. Alternatively, you can utilize Data validation by going to Data > Data validation, add a rule, then adjust the Criteria to “Is valid date” and “Reject input.”
2. How Do I Set Up My Date Picker So That Only Dates in a Certain Range Are Valid?: For setting date picker constraints, access the Data validation menu. Change the default “is valid date” option to your desired modifier, like “between.” Then, specify the parameters in the two new boxes that appear to define the date range.
3. How Do I Automatically Add A Date in Google Sheets Based on Today’s Date?: To enable automatic date updates when a cell is modified, you can use the NOW function. It will default to updating with cell changes or can be configured to auto-update with time. Additionally, you may employ the TODAY function to establish straightforward timestamps.
4. How Do I Change Date Picker Format in Google Sheets?: To modify the format of the date picker in Google Sheets, navigate to Format > Number > Date and adjust your default settings. This enables you to change the order and appearance of your dates according to your preferences.
5. Does the date picker have any advanced date calculation features?: Yes, the date picker allows you to calculate date differences and apply conditional formatting based on selected dates.
6. Can I make the date picker prettier? While you can’t change the drop down calendar itself, you can change the colors and fonts of your spreadsheet.