The #1 Productivity Tip for Spreadsheet Dates

Spreadsheets are arguably the most powerful tools in the modern office, yet few users fully leverage their advanced capabilities. Beyond simple calculations, spreadsheets offer intelligent features designed to eliminate manual tasks and reduce human error.

One such feature is the ability to automatically identify the day of the week for any given date.

The Problem with Manual Entry

Manually populating spreadsheet data is not just tedious—it’s a recipe for mistakes, especially when managing long-term historical records. Fortunately, you can automate this process using a simple formula.

How to Autofill the Day of the Week 

If your dates are listed in Column A, you can generate the corresponding day of the week in Column D by following these steps:

Enter the Formula: In cell D1, type: =TEXT(A1, "dddd")

• Execute - Press Enter. The cell will display the day of the week (e.g., "Monday").
• Apply to All - Click and drag the bottom-right corner of cell D1 down to fill the rest of the column.

This simple automation ensures your data remains accurate and saves you significant time.

For more great quick tips on how to best use today’s technology, return to our blog soon.