Data Entry Shortcuts for Dates and Numbers

Are you working hard this week? Instead of doing all the work yourself, let Excel do some of the data entry for you. These quick tips show you how to enter a date or number series, with a minimum of effort.

Enter a Series of Numbers

With this shortcut, you can quickly create a series of numbers on an Excel worksheet, such as a series of even numbers or odd numbers.

1. To start the series, type the first two numbers in adjacent cells.
2. Then, drag the Fill Handle to continue the series on the worksheet, as far as you need it to go.

This Excel Quick Tips video shows you how to fill the series, and there are many more Excel Data Entry tips on the Contextures web site.

Enter a Series of Dates

With the next shortcut, you can create a series of dates on an Excel worksheet, incremented from your starting date.

1. To start the series, type the first date in a cell.
2. Then, drag the Fill Handle to continue the date series on the worksheet, as far as you need it to go.

This Excel Quick Tips video shows you how to fill the date series.

Create Excel List of Dates by Week

With the final shortcut, you can create a series of dates, by week, on an Excel worksheet, incremented from your starting date.

1. To start the series, type the first date in a cell.
2. Then, press the right mouse button while you drag the Fill Handle to continue the weekly date series on the worksheet, as far as you need it to go.
3. Release the mouse button and click Series in the popup menu.
4. Type a 7 as the Step value, and click OK.

This Excel Quick Tips video shows you how to fill the date series.

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