Excel 64‑Bit: Master the Date Picker Tool (Plus a Free Alternative)

Step 1 – Adding a Suitable Date Picker Add-in from the Microsoft Store

• Go to the Insert tab and click on the Get Add-ins command to navigate to the Office Add-ins popup.

• In the search box, type “date picker” and click on the icon to search for related results.
• The Mini Calendar and Date Picker add-in will be at the top of the list if you sort the results by popularity. This add-in is developed by VERTEX42.COM.

Before starting to add and use it, note two things:

• This add-in can read and make changes to your document.
• It can send data over the internet.

If you are okay with these, then proceed to the next steps.

• Press Add.

• You will get a window to agree to the provider’s license terms and privacy policy.
• Check the links if you want and click on Continue.

• You will get the Date Picker in the current worksheet. It will look like the following image.

Read More: Insert Drop Down Calendar in Excel Without Date Picker

Step 2 – Using the Date Picker

Case 1 – Adding Schedule Dates with the Date Picker

Let’s make a final exam routine for a school. The Subjects are listed in the left column, and we will insert exam dates in the right column using the Date Picker.

• Click on a cell in the Date column (we have selected Cell C5).
• Using the right or left arrows in the Date Picker, find the correct year and month (January 2023 in our case).
• Click on the date you want to schedule the exam.

• Repeat to add all the scheduled dates from the picker. Your Routine will look something like the following image.

Case 2 – Changing the Position of the Date Picker

• Click on the Date Picker.
• Hover your mouse to the borderline, and you will see a thick cross arrow ✥ appears. This is a dragging tool.

• Drag the Date-Picker to the desired position.

Case 3 – Formatting the Date Picker

If you look down the Date Picker window, a list of command icons will be visible:

• The first icon toggles calendar size.

• The second icon changes the calendar theme. There are 5 built-in themes.

• The third command sets the calendar system.

• The fourth command shows a serial number for each of the weeks throughout the year in the calendar.

• To show or hide these commands, use the cog icon.

Case 4 – Deleting the Date Picker Window

• Click on the Date Picker, and a left arrow will be visible in the top right corner.
• Click on the arrow and select Delete from the list of commands.

Note

Deleting the Date Picker will not delete dates generated by it.

Read More: How to Use Excel UserForm as Date Picker

An Alternative to the Date Picker: Use a Calendar Template from Microsoft Excel

If you have a 64-bit version and don’t want to use any third-party add-ins for security concerns, then you can use a built-in calendar of MS Excel as an alternative.

Steps:

• Open Excel and click on New.
• In the search box, type calendar and click the icon.
• Select a calendar format. We have selected the Any Year Calendar.

• Press the Create button.

• A calendar with months in separate worksheets will appear. We have applied some formatting to make the calendar look like the image below.
• You can type the desired year in Cell K5 and select week start from the drop-down in Cell K6.
• You can add comments or work schedules in the cell right below the date cells, i.e. B6:H6, B8:H8, etc.

Download the Practice Workbook

Here is a practice workbook you can download to follow along.

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• Excel Date Picker for Entire Column
• How to Insert Calendar in Excel Cell

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