How to auto add/enter current date/time in a cell with double clicking in Excel?

If you need to insert current date or date time frequently in a worksheet, you can try the method in this article. This article will help you to automatically add or enter current date or date tine in a specified range cells with only double clicking.

Double click to auto add/enter current date or date time with VBA code

Double click to auto add/enter current date or date time with VBA code

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You can run the below VBA code to automatically add current date or date time in a cell with double clicking. Please do as follows.

1. Right click the Sheet tab which you want to insert current date into the specified cells, then select View Code from the right-clicking menu.

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

VBA code: Double click to add current date into a cell

Private Sub Worksheet_BeforeDoubleClick(ByVal Target As Range, Cancel As Boolean)
    If Not Intersect(Target, Range("A1:B10")) Is Nothing Then
        Cancel = True
        Target.Formula = Date
    End If
End Sub

Notes:

1. In the code, A1:B10 is the range you will add current date to.

2. If you need to add current date time into the cell, please replace Date with Now() in the code. You can change them as you need.

3. Press Alt + Q keys simultaneously to close the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window and return to the worksheet.

From now on, when double clicking any cell in specified range A1:B10. The current date or date time will be entered automatically.

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Joe · 6 months ago
This was just what I was looking for - this save a ton of time and I appreciate the well written instructions. Thank you!
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Lee Hoemann · 9 months ago
So I inserted code and it works great on several sheets in my workbook, however on some sheets it just suddenly stops working after a certain row even though I have the correct range entered. Any thoughts on why this might happen.
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Heather · 1 years ago
Does anyone know if there is a way to insert this code into Excel Online? I had used it with the desktop version and it worked great but now we have migrated everything to the online platform and my date and time stamps on double click have disappeared and I can't figure out how to view or edit the code. Thanks.
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Dylan · 1 years ago
Love the code and it works great. How can I make it so when I double click to execute the code its shows time in military time?
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  Heather · 1 years ago
  
  I would think that if you just select the Military Time format for that cell from the Number -> Time format options that should do it. For example, you would select 13:30 instead of 1:30 PM, and then it should display in military time.
  
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  Heather · 1 years ago
  
  I think if you select the military time format for that cell from the Format -> Number -> Time options in your sheet that ought to work. For example, it gives the option of 1:30 PM or 13:30, so you would just select 13:30 and that should do it.
  
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  crystal · 1 years ago
  
  Hi Dylan,
  Sorry can't help you with that yet. Thank you for your comment.
  
  Reply
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Max · 1 years ago
Hi there,

I copied and pasted the above code exactly as it is written into a blank workbook, however, it does not work for me. I looked at different sources on the web and most sites have a similar format as what is written above. I think perhaps there is something wrong with my VBA or some settings are not turned on. Any advice would be much appreciated. I am running Excel for Office 365 MSO (16.0.11001.20097) 32-bit on Windows 10.
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Trav · 2 years ago
Hello, the above code worked great for me. Now i am just wondering if there is a way to have the text "Double click to enter date" appear in the cell until the date is entered. My goal is to make the document be as user friendly as possible. Thank you in advance
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  crystal · 2 years ago
  
  Hi Travis,
  We can’t modify the code to have text display in the cell directly. But alternatively, the below optimized code will help to display the text in the cell comment, and the comment will be removed automatically after double click the cell to enter date.
  
  Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
  If Not Intersect(Target, Range("A1:B10")) Is Nothing Then
  Target.NoteText "double click to add date"
  End If
  End Sub
  
  Private Sub Worksheet_BeforeDoubleClick(ByVal Target As Range, Cancel As Boolean)
  If Not Intersect(Target, Range("A1:B10")) Is Nothing Then
  Cancel = True
  Target.Comment.Delete
  Target.Formula = Date
  End If
  End Sub
  
  Reply
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Tee · 2 years ago
Hello, the code you gave works great. I am just curious if there is any way to have the text "double click to add date" In the cell until the date is entered. Thank you in advance ( I am trying to make my document as user friendly as possible as to not confuse my co-workers)
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Dre · 2 years ago
I copied and pasted the code updating the range and it did not work :-(

Private Sub Worksheet_BeforeDoubleClick(ByVal Target As Range, Cancel As Boolean)
If Not Intersect(Target, Range("B4:B100")) Is Nothing Then
Cancel = True
Target.Formula = Now()
End If
End Sub
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  crystal · 2 years ago
  
  Good day,
  The code works well in my case. Can you tell me your Office version?
  
  Reply
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Paul · 2 years ago
The double click entery code created is:

Private Sub Worksheet_BeforeDoubleClick(ByVal Target As Range, Cancel As Boolean)
If Not Intersect(Target, Range("A1:a1000")) Is Nothing Then
Cancel = True
Target.Formula = Date
End If

If Not Intersect(Target, Range("b1:b1000")) Is Nothing Then
Cancel = True
Target.Formula = Time
End If

If Not Intersect(Target, Range("g1:g1000")) Is Nothing Then
Cancel = True
Target.Formula = Time
End If
End Sub
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  crystal · 2 years ago
  
  Dear Paul,
  Please try the following VBA code.
  
  Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
  Dim xRg As Range
  On Error Resume Next
  Set xRg = Intersect(Range("A1:a1000,b1:b1000,G1:G1000"), Target)
  If xRg Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
  Target.Worksheet.Unprotect Password:="123"
  xRg.Locked = True
  Target.Worksheet.Protect Password:="123"
  End Sub
  
  Private Sub Worksheet_BeforeDoubleClick(ByVal Target As Range, Cancel As Boolean)
  Application.EnableEvents = False
  ActiveSheet.Unprotect Password:="123"
  If Not Intersect(Target, Range("A1:a1000")) Is Nothing Then
  Cancel = True
  Target.Formula = Date
  End If
  If Not Intersect(Target, Range("b1:b1000")) Is Nothing Then
  Cancel = True
  Target.Formula = Time
  End If
  If Not Intersect(Target, Range("g1:g1000")) Is Nothing Then
  Cancel = True
  Target.Formula = Time
  End If
  ActiveSheet.Protect Password:="123"
  Application.EnableEvents = True
  End Sub
  
  Reply
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Paul · 2 years ago
The code really works... Thank you...i have added another code to protect the cell after the entry of data. Now the problem is that, once i enter the data and the cell is protected and by mistake if I double click the protected cell, then the above code goes wrong for the whole sheet. It does not work then. I have to unprotect the sheet to bring the code live. Any solution?

The protection Code used is below:

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
Dim xRg As Range
On Error Resume Next
Set xRg = Intersect(Range("A1:a1000,b1:b1000,G1:G1000"), Target)
If xRg Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
Target.Worksheet.Unprotect Password:="123"
xRg.Locked = True
Target.Worksheet.Protect Password:="123"
End Sub
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  crystal · 2 years ago
  
  Sorry I get your point. (miss the above code)
  
  Reply
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  crystal · 2 years ago
  
  Dear Paul,
  I try the code you provided. The entire worksheet will be protected immediately once I enter data into any one of the specified protected cells.
  Besides, when double click on the protected cell, nothing changes to the code in my case.
  Would you explain what you are exactly trying to do with the code?
  
  Reply
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Joel · 3 years ago
How do we extend this to add more cell range? I added a these extra cell ranged to the code : (Target, Range("C10:C19", "D10:D19", "E10:E19")) however it is giving me a compile error saying "wrong number of arguments or invalid property assignments" and then it highlights the first line of code you supplied "Private Sub Worksheet_BeforeDoubleClick(ByVal Target As Range, Cancel As Boolean)" Please assist me.
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  Nick · 3 years ago
  
  Joel, don't know if you are still looking for a solution, but you need to change your code:
  
  From: (Target, Range("C10:C19", "D10:D19", "E10:E19"))
  To: (Target, Range("C10:C19,D10:D19,E10:E19"))
  
  This will do it for you.
  
  Reply
  
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  Attila · 3 years ago
  
  Hello Nick,
  I'd like to get some advise from you on this subject....
  I have a file that I call "productivity sheet".... On this sheet I'd like to insert the actual time,in selected cells, when the cell is clicked... (If possible, I'd like these cells after the time appears to become unchangeable .....something like to be locked.)
  I do appreciate your time and thanx in advance
  Attila, Hungary
  exyzee@gmail.com
  
  Reply
  
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  crystal · 2 years ago
  
  Dear Attila,
  Please try the below screenshot to insert the actual time to cell in a certian range when it is clicked.
  (The automatically locking cells function can't be acheived, sorry about that)
  
  Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
  Application.ScreenUpdating = False
  If Not Intersect(Target, Range("A1:B10")) Is Nothing Then
  Cancel = True
  Target.Formula = Date
  End If
  End Sub
  
  Reply