How to Insert Calendar in Google Sheets: Step-by-Step Guide

Inserting a calendar into Google Sheets is a handy trick that can help you stay organized and on top of your schedule. All it takes is a few simple steps, and you’ll have a customizable calendar embedded in your spreadsheet. Let’s dive in and learn how to do it!

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Insert Calendar in Google Sheets

Before we get started, let’s understand what these steps will help us accomplish. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a fully functioning calendar inside your Google Sheets document, which you can use to track events, deadlines, or any dates important to you.

Step 1: Open Google Sheets

Open a new or existing Google Sheets document where you want the calendar.

When you open Google Sheets, you’ll be greeted with a blank spreadsheet or the one you wish to add a calendar to. Make sure you have editing access to the document.

Step 2: Go to Data menu

Click on the ‘Data’ menu located on the top toolbar.

The Data menu is where you’ll find different tools to manipulate the data in your spreadsheet, including data validation which we’ll use to create our calendar.

Step 3: Select Data Validation

Within the Data menu, click on ‘Data validation’.

Data validation is a feature that allows you to set rules for what kind of data can be entered into a cell. We’ll use this to create a dropdown calendar.

Step 4: Set Criteria

In the data validation window, set the criteria to ‘Date’ and the type to ‘is valid date’.

This tells Google Sheets that the cell(s) you’re applying validation to should only contain valid dates.

Step 5: Choose Input Style

Choose ‘Show date picker’ as the input style.

By selecting ‘Show date picker’, a small calendar icon will appear in the cell, which you can click to select a date.

Step 6: Apply to Range

Specify the range of cells to which you want to apply the calendar.

If you want a single date picker, just select one cell. For a range, highlight the cells where you want the calendars to appear.

Step 7: Save

Click on ‘Save’ to apply the data validation.

Once you hit save, your selected cells will now have a date picker function, and clicking on them will pop up a calendar for you to choose a date.

After completing these steps, you’ll see that your selected cells now have a small calendar icon on the right side. Clicking on this icon will bring up a monthly calendar view, allowing you to pick a date, and the chosen date will automatically populate the cell.

Tips for Inserting Calendar in Google Sheets

  • Make sure to set the correct date format in your spreadsheet settings to match your preference.
  • You can customize the appearance of your calendar by changing the cell formatting.
  • Use conditional formatting to highlight specific dates or events in your calendar.
  • You can create multiple calendars within the same spreadsheet by applying the data validation to different ranges.
  • If you need a more complex calendar with event details, consider using a Google Sheets calendar template.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove the calendar from a cell?

To remove the calendar, go back to ‘Data validation’, select the cell or range with the calendar, and click ‘Remove validation’.

Can I share the Google Sheet with the calendar with others?

Yes, you can share the Google Sheet as you normally would, and others will be able to use the calendar feature if they have editing access.

Can I link events from Google Calendar to the Google Sheets calendar?

While you can’t directly link events, you can manually input events from Google Calendar into your Google Sheets calendar.

Is it possible to add a calendar to Google Sheets on mobile?

The process is similar on mobile, but the smaller screen may make it a bit more cumbersome to navigate the menus.

Can I print the calendar from Google Sheets?

Yes, you can print the calendar by selecting the cells and choosing ‘Print’ from the ‘File’ menu, but you’ll only see the dates, not the calendar layout.

Summary

  1. Open Google Sheets.
  2. Go to Data menu.
  3. Select Data Validation.
  4. Set Criteria to ‘Date’.
  5. Choose ‘Show date picker’ as the input style.
  6. Apply to range of cells.
  7. Save the validation.

Conclusion

Congratulations on adding a calendar to your Google Sheets! Whether you use it for keeping track of important deadlines, planning events, or simply as a personal planner, the ability to insert a calendar into your spreadsheets is a game-changer. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that can increase your productivity and help keep you organized.

The beauty of Google Sheets is its flexibility and the collaborative aspect it offers. Sharing your calendar-equipped spreadsheet with colleagues or friends allows for real-time updates and scheduling. Remember to explore additional features like conditional formatting and templates to make the most out of your new calendar.

If you ever find yourself stuck, Google’s help forums and support pages are filled with resources and community tips to guide you through. Don’t be afraid to experiment and customize your calendar to suit your specific needs. Happy planning, and here’s to a more organized life with the help of your new digital calendar in Google Sheets!