Flash Fill and Dates

November 15, 2022 - by Bill Jelen

Problem: Flash Fill won’t fill dates. When I use Ctrl+E, it won’t get them right.

Strategy: First, the Text to Columns command would handle dates better than Flash Fill. But, if you need to use Flash Fill, follow these steps:

1. Choose the column where you want the dates to fill.
2. You have to apply a date format that has two spaces for month and four for year. Press Ctrl+1 to display the Format Cells dialog. On the Number tab, choose the Custom category. Type a date format of MM/DD/YYYY.
3. Fill in the first date.
4. Go to the blank cell below that date.
5. Ctrl+E to Flash Fill.
6. You are now free to select the column and apply another date format.

This article is an excerpt from Power Excel With MrExcel