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How to allow only date format in specific cells in Excel?

Author Xiaoyang Last modified

Restricting specific cells to only allow date formats in Excel can be useful for ensuring data consistency. This guide introduces two methods: using the Data Validation feature or a simple VBA code to enforce date-only input in selected cells.

Allow only date format in specific cells with Data Validation function

Allow only date format in specific cells with VBA code


arrow blue right bubble Allow only date format in specific cells with Data Validation function

In Excel, the Data Validation is a powerful function which can help you to create drop down list, to prevent duplicate entries, etc. It can also help you prevent entering any data format other than a date in specific cells. Please do with following steps:

1. Click Data > Data Validation > Data Validation, see screenshot:

A screenshot of the Data Validation menu in Excel

2. In the Data Validation dialog box, click Settings tab, and then choose Custom from the Allow drop down list, then enter this formula: =AND(ISNUMBER(B2),LEFT(CELL("format",B2),1)="D") into the Formula text box, see screenshot:

A screenshot of the Data Validation Settings tab with a custom formula entered to restrict input to date format

Note: In the above formula, B2 is the first cell of the column which you want to restrict the data format.

3. Next, click the Error Alert tab in the dialog box and perform the following steps:

A screenshot showing the Error Alert tab in Data Validation settings in Excel

(1.) Check Show error alert after invalid data is entered option;

(2.) Under the Style drop down, please select Stop option;

(3.) Type the Title and Error message that you want to display in the prompt box.

4. After finishing the settings, click OK button, and now, when you enter data that is not a valid date format, a prompt box will appear to notify you as following screenshot shown:

A screenshot of an error alert prompt in Excel indicating invalid data entry for a non-date format


arrow blue right bubble Allow only date format in specific cells with VBA code

The second method introduces a VBA code to accomplish this task.

1. Activate the worksheet that you want to use.

2. Then right click the sheet tab, and select View Code from the context menu, see screenshot:

A screenshot showing the context menu to access View Code for a worksheet in Excel

3. In the displayed Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window, copy and paste the below code into the Module, see screenshot:

VBA code: Only allow date format entering in specific cells:

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
'updateby Extendoffice
Set w = ActiveSheet.Range("B2:B12")
For Each c In w
If c.Value <> "" And Not IsDate(c) Then
c.ClearContents
MsgBox "Only a date format is permitted in this cell."
End If
Next c
End Sub

A screenshot of VBA code in the Visual Basic for Applications editor

4. Save and close the code. Now, when you enter a value that is not in date format in the range B2:B12, a prompt box will pop out to remind you, and the cell value will be cleared at the same time, see screenshot:

A screenshot of a VBA error prompt in Excel indicating invalid data entry for a non-date format

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