Excel 2016: Select Date from Calendar in Cell

Ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to input a date into an Excel 2016 cell, but typing it out seemed error-prone and time-consuming? Excel offers a user-friendly calendar tool that can simplify this process. Let's delve into how you can select a date from this calendar and insert it into your cell.

Before we begin, ensure that your Excel 2016 is up-to-date and you're working on a compatible version. Now, let's explore the steps to select a date from the calendar and place it in your cell.

Accessing the Calendar in Excel 2016

To access the calendar, you'll first need to start by selecting the cell where you want to insert the date. Once selected, follow these steps:

1. Click on the cell where you want to insert the date.

2. On your keyboard, press the 'Ctrl' key and then the ';' key simultaneously. This will open the Insert Function dialog box.

Using the Insert Function Dialog Box

The Insert Function dialog box is a powerful tool that helps you insert dates, times, and other special functions into your cells. Here's how to use it:

1. In the 'Search for a function' field, type 'TODAY' (without quotes) and click 'Go'. This will insert the current date into your cell.

2. If you want to insert a specific date, you can do so by using the calendar tool. Click on the 'Number Format' button in the 'Number' group on the 'Home' tab.

Using the Date Picker

After clicking on the 'Number Format' button, you'll see a list of number formats. Select 'Custom' to open the 'Format Cells' dialog box. Here's how to use the date picker:

1. In the 'Number' tab, select the date format you prefer (e.g., 'mm/dd/yyyy').

2. Click 'OK'. This will open the date picker, allowing you to select a specific date.

3. Click on the desired date in the calendar. The date will be inserted into your cell in the format you selected.

Formatting the Date in Excel 2016

Once you've inserted the date, you might want to format it to match the rest of your data. Here's how to format your date:

1. Select the cell(s) containing the date(s) you want to format.

2. Click on the 'Number Format' button in the 'Number' group on the 'Home' tab.

3. Select the date format you prefer. You can also click on 'Custom' to create a specific date format.

Using the 'Format as Table' Feature

If you're working with a large amount of data, you might find it helpful to format your dates as a table. Here's how:

1. Select any cell in your data range.

2. Click on the 'Format as Table' button in the 'Styles' group on the 'Home' tab.

3. In the 'Create Table' dialog box, ensure that the data range is correct and check the 'My table has headers' box if your data has headers.

4. Click 'OK'. This will format your data as a table, and you can apply date formatting to the entire table.

And there you have it! You've now learned how to select a date from the calendar in Excel 2016 and format it to your liking. Happy data crunching!