Using Excel Data Validation in Date Format

This is an overview.

What Is Data Validation in Date Format?

Data validation in Date Format allows you to control the type of data in a cell. You can specify that a cell can only accept values that meet the criteria.

This is the sample dataset.

Example 1 – Creating a Dynamic Drop Down List of Dates

In the sample dataset, the Delivery Date depends on the Order Date. The Delivery Date should be within 3 days from the Order Date. As the Order Date is 4/1/2023 which means April 1st, 2023, the possible Delivery Date can be any day within a 3-day time frame including the Order Date.

Steps:

To see the possible delivery date options when entering the Delivery Date:

Enter the following formula in C13 to see the Order Date in D6 and press ENTER.
The formula in D13 uses the FORMULATEXT function.

=D6

Enter the following formula in C14 to see the first possible Delivery Date and press ENTER.

=C13

To see the next two possible Delivery Dates, use =C13+1 formula in C14 and =C13+2 formula in C15.

All possible Delivery Dates within 3 days from the Order Date including the Order Date are displayed.

Select C14:C16 and enter DeliveryDate in the Name Box.

Select E6:E11 to add Data Validation.
Go to Data>>Data Validation.

Select List in Validation Criteria.

Place the cursor on Source and press F3 to see the Paste Name option.

Select the DeliveryDate name and click OK. This will set DeliveryDate as the Source.

Click OK to select DeliveryDate as the source and set the Data Validation.

Example 2 – Using the Date Option to Validate Data Within an Interval

Steps:

Select B13:C14 and go to Formulas>>Create from Selection>>Left Column
Click OK.

Select E6:E11 for data validation.
Go to Data>>Data Validation.

Enter =FirstDate as Start date: and =LastDate as End date: ,exactly as it appears in B13 and B14.
Click OK.

The Data Validation is set. E6:E11 will only allow a date between 4/1/2023 and 4/3/2023.

Example 3 – Validating the Date Type Using the Custom Option/(Restrict Date to Current Year)

You can restrict the Delivery Date within the 3 days from the Order Date.

Steps:

Select E6 and go to Data>>Data Validation.

Select Custom in Allow.
Enter =AND(E6>=D6,E6<=D6+2) as the Formula and click OK.

The data validation formula is now active in E6.
To apply it to E6:E11, Drag the Fill Handle to E11.

Data validation is set to all cells in E6:E11.

Example 4 – Incorporating a VBA to Validate Date Type Data in Cells

Steps:

Right-click the worksheet named Using VBA to Validate Date.
Click View Code.

A code window will open.

Enter the following code.
Click Save.
Close the code window.

Code:

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
' Disable events temporarily to prevent recursive triggering
Application.EnableEvents = False
' Check if the modified cell is within the target range
If Intersect(Target, Me.Range("E6:E11")) Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
' Check if the cell value is a valid date
If Not IsDate(Target.Value) Then
' Undo the cell change and show an error message
Application.Undo
MsgBox "This cell takes only date as input. Please provide proper input."
End If
' Re-enable events
Application.EnableEvents = True
End Sub

Code Breakdown:

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
                        Application.EnableEvents = False

indicates that the rest of the code should be executed whenever a change is made to the worksheet and temporarily disables events to prevent recursive triggering.

If Intersect(Target, Me.Range("E6:E11")) Is Nothing Then Exit Sub

checks if the modified cell is within the target range ( E6:E11). If it isn’t, the code exits.

If Not IsDate(Target.Value) Then
                        Application.Undo
MsgBox "This cell takes only date as input. Please provide proper input."
End If

checks whether the cell is a valid date. If it isn’t, the last cell change is undone to keep the active cell in the original cell where the error occurred. An error message is displayed.

Application.EnableEvents = True

reenables events so that future events can be triggered.

End Sub

The sub-procedure ends.

You can only input Date type data in E6:E11. Otherwise, an error message will be displayed.

How to Use the Time Option to Validate Data Within an Interval of Time in Excel

Enter the Order Time in E6:E11. The valid Order Time is between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Select E6:E11 and go to Data>>Data Validation.

Select Time in Allow, between in Data, 9:00:00 AM as Start time, and 5:00:00 PM as End time.
Click OK.

Time is set and you can only input time between the specified interval. Otherwise, an error message will be displayed.

Things to Remember

Keep a one-word name if you need to refer to it further.

Date accepts / and – as separator. In general, it doesn’t accept “.” as a separator.

Using Excel Data Validation in Date Format – 4 Examples

What Is Data Validation in Date Format?

Example 1 – Creating a Dynamic Drop Down List of Dates

Example 2 – Using the Date Option to Validate Data Within an Interval

Example 3 – Validating the Date Type Using the Custom Option/(Restrict Date to Current Year)

Example 4 – Incorporating a VBA to Validate Date Type Data in Cells

How to Use the Time Option to Validate Data Within an Interval of Time in Excel

Things to Remember

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