How to Insert Excel Date Picker | Mini Calendar Add-in | Secret VBA Hack!

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to enhance your Excel spreadsheets by adding a date picker, making data entry easier and more user-friendly. This guide includes a simple VBA hack to ensure the date picker only appears when selecting date cells. By following these steps, you can optimize your spreadsheets and streamline your workflow in just a few minutes.

Step 1: Add the Mini Calendar Add-In

To get started, you need to add the Mini Calendar add-in to your Excel.

1. Open Excel and go to the Insert tab.
2. Click on Get Add-ins or Office Add-ins.
3. Search for "Mini Calendar" in the add-in store.
4. Click Add to install the Mini Calendar to your Excel.

Practical Tip

Ensure you have an internet connection while adding the add-in, as it is fetched from the online store.

Step 2: Setting Up the Date Picker

Once the Mini Calendar add-in is installed, set it up to be visible when you are entering dates.

1. Go to the worksheet where you want to use the date picker.
2. Add the Mini Calendar to your worksheet by dragging it from the add-ins section.
3. Position the calendar where you prefer on your spreadsheet.

Common Pitfall

Make sure the calendar is not hidden behind other elements in your worksheet.

Step 3: Implement the VBA Code

To make the date picker pop up only for date cells, you will need to use a VBA code snippet.

1. Press ALT + F11 to open the VBA editor.
2. In the Project Explorer, find your workbook and double-click on the sheet where you want to add the code.
3. Copy and paste the following VBA code into the code window:

Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
    If ActiveCell.NumberFormat = "m/d/yyyy" Then
        ActiveSheet.Shapes("Calendar").Visible = True
        ActiveSheet.Shapes("Calendar").Left = ActiveCell.Left + ActiveCell.Width
        ActiveSheet.Shapes("Calendar").Top = ActiveCell.Top + ActiveCell.Height
    Else
        ActiveSheet.Shapes("Calendar").Visible = False
    End If
End Sub

4. Close the VBA editor.

Important Note

Replace "Calendar" in the code with the actual name of your Mini Calendar shape if it differs.

Step 4: Test the Date Picker Functionality

Now that you have set up the date picker and the VBA code, it’s time to test it.

1. Click on any cell formatted as a date (m/d/yyyy).
2. The Mini Calendar should appear next to the selected cell.
3. If you click on a cell that is not formatted as a date, the calendar should disappear.

Step 5: Custom Date Formats

If you need to customize the date format for your cells:

1. Select the cells where you want to apply the date format.
2. Right-click and choose Format Cells.
3. Navigate to the Number tab and select Date.
4. Choose your desired date format from the list.

Practical Tip

Ensure the format is consistent across your worksheet to avoid confusion.

Conclusion

You have successfully added a date picker to your Excel spreadsheet, making data entry more efficient. By using the VBA code, the calendar will only show for date cells, enhancing user experience. Consider applying this technique in other spreadsheets to streamline your data management processes. If you want to explore more advanced Excel features, check out additional training resources available at Excel Power Up.