In the selected cell, we can enter dates between the start date and end date only. Select the start date & end date respectively, and we will have named ranges instead of direct entry of dates.Select the box start date and press the F3 key to bring the list of all the named ranges. Now again open the data validation window and this time do not enter dates manually.Since our names in the selection area on the left side check the box of “ Left Column”.Click on “ ok” and named range will be created.Under the FORMULA tab click on “Create from selection”.To do so, right-click the table and select table>convert to range. To name this date range Date Range To create a data range in Excel, click anywhere in the table and then go to table tools>design on the ribbon>convert to range.Create a start date and end date like the below.To name a range, first select the range of data and then insert a table to the range, then put a name to the range from the name box on the left-hand side of the window. In the above example, we have directly supplied the start and end date but imagine the scenario where we need to change the start and end date frequently then we need to create named ranges Named Ranges Name range in Excel is a name given to a range for the future reference. When we entered the date between the start and end date provided, it has accepted the value, so like this, we can create dates validation to restrict users to enter dates between specific ranges.Įxample #2 – Create a Named Range for Start & End Date Now enter the date between 01st Jan 2020 to 31st Jan 2020.When we tried entering the value as “hello” it has given us the warning message as “This value doesn’t match the data validation restrictions defined for this cell”. However, we do not see any of the drop-down lists in the selected cell.Click on “Ok”, and we will exit the data validation window. Assume we need to create dates validation from 01st Jan 2020 to 31st Jan 2020, then enter the start and end date as shown below.Once the “Date” is chosen, then we need to enter “Start Date & End Date”.Now we need to choose what kind of validation we are going to create for the drop-down list, so click on the drop-down list of “Allow:” and choose “Date”.

If you are a fan of a shortcut key instead of going through the above steps, you simply press the shortcut excel key ALT + A + V + V to open the above data validation window. This will bring below the data validation window.

Now click on Data Validation under the “DATA” tab.

First, select the cell where we need to create a drop-down list.

Creating a date drop-down list is simple but effective as well.

Insert calendar drop down in excel 2016