How to Insert a Date Picker in Google Sheets and Google Docs

Google Sheets and Google Docs provide a free, online alternative to Microsoft Office, along with unique features. If you work on any of these tools, you must enter dates now and then. However, wrestling with date formats and remembering specific days can be a tedious, error-prone chore. Thankfully, you can insert a date picker in Google Sheets and Google Docs to make the job easier.

Gone are the days of manually typing dates. In this guide, we’ll show you how to insert a pop-up Calendar Date Picker into your Google Sheets and Google Docs. This nifty feature not only enhances your efficiency but also adds a touch of organization to your documents. And the best part is that it is easy to use. So, let’s dive in.

Why Should You Use a Pop-Up Calendar Date Picker

Picture this: You’re managing a project timeline, planning events, or tracking deadlines. Manually typing dates can be prone to errors and consume time. Thankfully, with a pop-up date picker, you don’t have to worry about these issues. The calendar ensures you pick the right date every time, eliminating the headache of formula errors and data inconsistencies.

Additionally, using the calendar GUI is much faster than meticulously typing the date. Pop-up calendars also add a touch of sophistication and professionalism to your work, making it look polished and well-organized. Essentially, a calendar date picker ensures precision, eliminates mistakes, and streamlines your workflow.

Now, let’s delve into the methods for Google Sheets and Google Docs.

How to Add a Pop-Up Calendar Date Picker on Google Sheets

Method 1: Change Cell Format

The first method is relatively straightforward, wherein you can define the kind of value a cell holds. Once you set the value to be categorized as a date, Google Sheets will automatically allow you to interact with a pop-up calendar to feed data into it. Here’s how to set it up.

Step 1: Open your Google Sheet. Now, select the cell where you want the date picker. Here, enter a valid date in any format.

Step 2: Now, with the cell selected, navigate to the Format menu. Choose Number and select Date.

Step 3: The highlighted cell should now reflect as a date in the selected format.

Step 4: And that’s it. Now, double-click on the cell, and the pop-up calendar should appear. You can now easily use the calendar to modify the date.

Method 2: Use Data Validation

While the previous method is straightforward, the cell must have some data before it can be converted to the Date format. A better way is to use data validation to create a custom check for selected cells. Here’s how to do that.

Step 1: Open your Google Sheet. Select the cell(s) where you want the date picker.

Step 2: Now, go to the Data menu and choose Data validation.

Step 3: You should see a ‘Data Validation rules’ panel on the right. Click on Add rule.

Step 4: In the new settings, set Criteria to ‘is valid date’. Once done, click on Done.

Step 5: That’s it. Now, double-click on the formatted texts for the pop-up calendar to appear.

How to Add a Pop-Up Calendar Date Picker on Google Docs

Method 1: Using Smart Chips Shortcut

Compared to a spreadsheet, the usage of dates in Google Docs is lower. However, it is still essential to ensure that you’re following the correct format of the date. The entire process is easy, thanks to the use of Smart Chips.

Step 1: Open your Google Docs file. Now, place your cursor where you want to insert the date, type @date, and press Enter.

Step 2: That’s it. A pop-up calendar should appear, letting you choose your desired date.

Method 2: Using Insert Menu

Alternatively, you can use the Insert menu to do the same. Navigate to Insert > Smart Chips > Date.

A pop-up calendar should appear, allowing you to select the date of your choice. Once done, the chosen date is inserted where your cursor was, complete with its pop-up calendar for future edits.

Add Dates Quickly

And there you have it. You can now embrace efficiency and accuracy by inserting pop-up calendar date pickers in Google Sheets and Google Docs. Say goodbye to date-related hiccups and hello to a smoother, more organized document and spreadsheet.