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How to auto populate date in cell when adjacent cell is updated in Excel?

Sometimes, when update a cell in a certain column, you may want to mark the latest date about the updating. This article will recommend a VBA method to solve this problem. When cell is updated, the adjacent cell will be auto populated with current date immediately.

Auto populate current date in cell when adjacent cell is updated with VBA code

Auto populate current date in cell when adjacent cell is updated with VBA code

Supposing the data you need to update locates in column B, and when cell in column B is updated, the current date will be populated in the adjacent cell of column A. See screenshot:

You can run the following VBA code to solve this problem.

1. Right click the sheet tab you need to auto populate date based on the adjacent updated cell, and then click View Code from the right-clicking menu.

2. In the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window, please copy and paste the below VBA code into the Code window.

VBA code: auto populate current date in a cell when the adjacent cell is updated

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Excel.Range)
'Updated by Extendoffice 2017/10/12
    Dim xRg As Range, xCell As Range
    On Error Resume Next
    If (Target.Count = 1) Then
        If (Not Application.Intersect(Target, Me.Range("B:B")) Is Nothing) Then _
            Target.Offset(0, -1) = Date
        Application.EnableEvents = False
        Set xRg = Application.Intersect(Target.Dependents, Me.Range("B:B"))
        If (Not xRg Is Nothing) Then
            For Each xCell In xRg
                xCell.Offset(0, -1) = Date
            Next
        End If
        Application.EnableEvents = True
    End If
End Sub

Notes:

1). In the code, B:B means that the updated data locates in column B.
2). -1 indicates that the current date will be populated on the left one column of column B. If you want the current date populates in column C, please change -1 to 1.

3. Press Alt + Q keys at the same time to close the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

From now on, when updating cells in column B, the adjacent cell in column A will be populated with current date immediately. See screenshot:

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Comments (50)
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Tim Foolery
Tim Foolery
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This is working great but is there a way to make it so it only prefills the date if the date cell was empty?

For instance, when somebody goes back and updates the cell which triggers the date to be populated, it updates the old date to today's. I'm trying to make it so it only runs if the date cell is blank.

Thanks!
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crystal
crystal     Tim Foolery
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Hi Tim,
The following VBA code can help you solve this problem. The current date will only be added to cells in column A if the cell is empty when an update to the corresponding cell in column B is made.

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
'Updated by Extendoffice 20230721
    Dim xRg As Range, xCell As Range
    On Error Resume Next
    If (Target.Count = 1) Then
        If (Not Application.Intersect(Target, Me.Range("B:B")) Is Nothing) Then
            If Target.Offset(0, -1).Value = "" Then
                Target.Offset(0, -1).Value = Date
            End If
        End If
        Application.EnableEvents = False
        Set xRg = Application.Intersect(Target.Dependents, Me.Range("B:B"))
        If (Not xRg Is Nothing) Then
            For Each xCell In xRg
                If xCell.Offset(0, -1).Value = "" Then
                    xCell.Offset(0, -1).Value = Date
                End If
            Next
        End If
        Application.EnableEvents = True
    End If
End Sub
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L.P
L.P
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Hi, Crystal.

This code works perfectly for me with modifications, however, I want to clear the cell if I clear the target. For example, Target Cells change, date and User name populates. GREAT!

BUT, Target Cell is cleared (deleted, " ", or changed to blank) then date and username clears.

Any Ideas?

Here is my current code that works (half way);

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Excel.Range)
Dim xRg As Range, xCell As Range
On Error Resume Next

If (Target.Count = 1) Then

If (Not Application.Intersect(Target, Me.Range("B:B")) Is Nothing) Then _
Target.Offset(0, 3) = Environ("USERNAME")

If (Not Application.Intersect(Target, Me.Range("B:B")) Is Nothing) Then _
Target.Offset(0, 4) = Date

Application.EnableEvents = False
Set xRg = Application.Intersect(Target.Dependents, Me.Range("B:B"))

If (Not xRg Is Nothing) Then
For Each xCell In xRg
xCell.Offset(0, 3) = Environ("USERNAME")
xCell.Offset(0, 4) = Date
Next
End If
Application.EnableEvents = True

End If

End Sub
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crystal
crystal     L.P
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
Hi Leaven Phillips,
The following VBA code can help you solve the problem. Please give it try.
Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Excel.Range)
'Updated by Extendoffice 2023/4/14
    Dim xRg As Range, xCell As Range
    On Error Resume Next

    If Target.Count = 1 Then
        If Not Intersect(Target, Me.Range("B:B")) Is Nothing Then
            If Target.Value = "" Then ' Check if cell in column B is cleared
                Target.Offset(0, 3).ClearContents ' Clear contents of column E
                Target.Offset(0, 4).ClearContents ' Clear contents of column F
            Else ' If cell in column B is not cleared
                Target.Offset(0, 3) = Environ("USERNAME") ' Write username to column E
                Target.Offset(0, 4) = Date ' Write current date to column F
            End If
        End If
        
        Application.EnableEvents = False
        Set xRg = Application.Intersect(Target.Dependents, Me.Range("B:B"))
        
        If Not xRg Is Nothing Then
            For Each xCell In xRg
                If xCell.Offset(0, -3).Value = "" Then ' Check if cell in column B is cleared
                    xCell.Offset(0, 3).ClearContents ' Clear contents of column E
                    xCell.Offset(0, 4).ClearContents ' Clear contents of column F
                Else ' If cell in column B is not cleared
                    xCell.Offset(0, 3) = Environ("USERNAME") ' Write username to column E
                    xCell.Offset(0, 4) = Date ' Write current date to column F
                End If
            Next
        End If
        
        Application.EnableEvents = True
    End If
End Sub
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Alexis
Alexis
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Hi, I'm looking for a time stamp in F2 when a specific status is input into E2, and have G2 time stamped when E2 is updated to new specific status has been entered but not change the time stamp in F2. Is that possible?

Thank you!
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crystal
crystal     Alexis
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Hi Alexis,
I don't quite understand your question.
What are the two specific status you mentioned above?Do you mean that when a specific value (for example A) is entered in E2, a timestamp is inserted in F2? When another specific value (for example B) is entered in E2, a timestamp is inserted in G2? If you enter a value other than the two specified values in E2, there is no change.
Can you upload a screenshot of your data?
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Alexis
Alexis     crystal
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Example.. I send an email to my boss to get approval on a project. I input that info into my sheet on E2, the time stamp for that status would be on F2. Next day my boss approves project and I update status from pending approval to approved in cell E2. Once its been updated I would like a new time stamp from that input onto G2. Is that possible?

Thank you
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crystal
crystal     Alexis
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
Hi Alexis,
The following VBA code can do you a favor. Please give it a try. Thank you.
Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
'Updated by Extendoffice 20221028
 Dim xRg As Range
    On Error Resume Next
    If Target.Cells.Count > 1 Then
        Exit Sub
    End If
    Set xRg = Intersect(Range("E2"), Target)
    If xRg Is Nothing Then
        Exit Sub
    End If
    If Target.Value = "panding approval" Then
        Target.Offset(0, 1) = Date
        Application.EnableEvents = False
    ElseIf Target.Value = "approved" Then
        Target.Offset(0, 2) = Date
    End If
    Application.EnableEvents = True
End Sub
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Alexis
Alexis     crystal
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Hi Crystal,

I copied this to the sheet and it didn't create the times. Do I need to have the formula in the cells before I can add the code? It wont let me paste the shot of the sheet..
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crystal
crystal     Alexis
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Hi Alexis,
Right click the sheet tab, select View Code from the right-clicking menu and copy the code into the Sheet (Code) window. Save the code and press the Alt + Q keys to close the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.
When you enter "panding approval" in E2, the current time will be automatically entered in F2, and when you enter "approved" in E2, the current time will be automatically entered in G2.
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crystal
crystal
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Hi Dlnh,
The following VBA code can do you a favor. Please give it a try. Hope I can help.
Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
'Updated by Extendoffice 2022/6/10
    On Error Resume Next
    
    If Target.Count > 1 Then Exit Sub
    If Application.Intersect(Target, Range("A:A")) Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
    If Target.Value = "yes" Then
        Target.Offset(0, 1) = Date
    End If
End Sub
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DInh
DInh
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Dear,
please help if is there a way to auto input the date to column B once the specific data input to in column A ? for a sample if I put "yes" to a cell in column A, the date will be inputted to column B and if I put " No", it won't be changed in Column B
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crystal
crystal     DInh
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Hi Dlnh,
The following VBA code can do you a favor. Please give it a try. Hope I can help.
Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
'Updated by Extendoffice 2022/6/10
    On Error Resume Next
    
    If Target.Count > 1 Then Exit Sub
    If Application.Intersect(Target, Range("A:A")) Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
    If Target.Value = "yes" Then
        Target.Offset(0, 1) = Date
    End If
End Sub
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Jacinta
Jacinta
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Hi is there a way to modify the code such that when I copy and paste values into column B, column A still auto-populates through VBA?

Also, when I delete data in a row in column B, the date still shows in column A. How do I modify the formula such that if column B is empty in the same row, then the date will also disappear when data is deleted, rather than having to manually delete it. Many thanks!
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Matt
Matt
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Hello, this formula works great.  However, is there a way to set it that it only updates the cell in column A if it is empty?  
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crystal
crystal     Matt
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Hi Matt,Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean. Can you try to be more specific about your question, or provide a screenshot of what you are trying to do?
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Lucas
Lucas
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Hi, I am using your code as a reference. I want to ask if it is possible to have the following:1. Prevent duplicated date entries2. Have the 2 macro inputs at the same time : Target.Offset(0,-1), Target,Offset(0,1)3. Possible to auto insert an image to the cell?
Was trying to figure it out myself but i can't seem to find any resources online which can help me
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chapo
chapo
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I'm inputting this code into my excel workbook and nothing is happening. Could anyone please help? Ideally, I would like when something is put into column A, time would be put into column B.
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crystal
crystal     chapo
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Hi chapo,Try the below code. Hope I can help.<div data-tag="code">Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Excel.Range)
'Updated by Extendoffice 2020/10/12
Dim xRg As Range, xCell As Range
On Error Resume Next
If (Target.Count = 1) Then
If (Not Application.Intersect(Target, Me.Range("A:A")) Is Nothing) Then _
Target.Offset(0, 1) = Time
Application.EnableEvents = False
Set xRg = Application.Intersect(Target.Dependents, Me.Range("A:A"))
If (Not xRg Is Nothing) Then
For Each xCell In xRg
xCell.Offset(0, 1) = Time
Next
End If
Application.EnableEvents = True
End If
End Sub
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ashish_1794
ashish_1794
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I do not want to enter date but a constant value in the cell, eg: a number or a text string. please suggest the code changes for the same.
Thanks
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crystal
crystal     ashish_1794
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Hi,If you want to enter a number, please replace the text Date with the number directly in the code. For enter a text string, please replace the text Date in the code with "you text string" (the double quotes are included).
<div data-tag="code">Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Excel.Range)
'Updated by Extendoffice 2020/09/28
Dim xRg As Range, xCell As Range
On Error Resume Next
If (Target.Count = 1) Then
If (Not Application.Intersect(Target, Me.Range("B:B")) Is Nothing) Then _
Target.Offset(0, -1) = "a text string" 'Or directly enter a number
Application.EnableEvents = False
Set xRg = Application.Intersect(Target.Dependents, Me.Range("B:B"))
If (Not xRg Is Nothing) Then
For Each xCell In xRg
xCell.Offset(0, -1) = "a text string" 'Or directly enter a number
Next
End If
Application.EnableEvents = True
End If
End Sub
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