How Do I Add a Calendar Drop Down to Google Sheets?

If you work with dates in Google Sheets, adding a calendar-style dropdown can streamline your workflow, reduce errors, and make your spreadsheets much easier to navigate. Whether you're managing project timelines, scheduling content, or planning events, a calendar dropdown ensures date entries stay consistent and clean.

Follow the simple steps below to add a calendar date picker to your Google Sheets. This guide is ideal for Google Docs and Google Sheets users looking to improve their productivity.

How to Add a Calendar Drop Down in Google Sheets

1. Open Your Google Sheet

Start by opening the spreadsheet where you want the calendar dropdown to appear. Choose the specific cell or range of cells where users should select a date.

2. Click on Data > Data Validation

In the top menu, click Data , then select Data validation from the dropdown. This opens a sidebar or popup window, depending on your interface.

3. Choose ‘Date’ Under Criteria

In the data validation panel, go to the Criteria section. From the dropdown menu, select Date . This sets the input restriction to only accept date entries.

4. Set Optional Date Rules (Optional)

You can customize date rules such as “is valid date,” “is before,” “is after,” or even set a date range. This step is useful if you want to limit users to specific scheduling windows.

5. Enable the Calendar Drop Down

Make sure the option that says “Show dropdown” or “Show calendar popup” is checked. This enables the calendar interface when someone clicks the cell.

6. Click Done

Hit Done to save the settings. You’ll now see a small calendar icon in the cells you applied the data validation to. Clicking this icon opens a user-friendly calendar picker.

7. Test Your Calendar Drop Down

Click on one of the cells you edited. The calendar icon should appear. Select a date to test if everything is working properly.

That’s it! You’ve added a fully functional calendar dropdown to your Google Sheet.

Why Add a Calendar Drop Down?

Adding a calendar dropdown in Google Sheets eliminates manual date entry errors, ensures consistency, and helps users input data faster. It’s especially useful for forms, team sheets, schedules, and project planning tools.

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FAQ: Google Sheets Calendar Dropdown

Q: Can I add a calendar dropdown in Google Sheets on mobile?
A: While you can view the calendar dropdown on mobile, editing data validation settings is best done on desktop.

Q: Can I use this method for multiple cells?
A: Yes! Just select a range of cells before applying data validation.

Q: Why isn’t the calendar icon showing up?
A: Double-check that the cell is set to accept a date and that the dropdown/calendar popup option is enabled.

Q: Can I restrict dates to future only?
A: Yes, under Criteria , select "Date is after" and choose today’s date.