Dates in my excel not filling sequentially only copying

JoeAllen999 

If enabling the "Fill Series" option and ensuring that cells are formatted as dates did not resolve the issue of the fill handle only copying the date instead of filling it sequentially, you can try the following additional steps to troubleshoot and fix the problem:

1. Clear Cell Formats:
• Sometimes, cell formats or conditional formatting rules can interfere with Excel's fill handle behavior. Try clearing any formatting applied to the cells:
• Select the cells where you want to fill the date series.
• Right-click and choose "Format Cells."
• In the "Format Cells" dialog box, go to the "Number" tab.
• Select the "General" category.
• Click "OK" to remove any formatting.
• After clearing the formats, try using the fill handle again.
2. Check Workbook Calculation Settings:
• Incorrect calculation settings in your workbook can affect Excel's ability to fill dates sequentially. Ensure that your workbook is set to calculate automatically:
• Go to the "Formulas" tab on the Excel ribbon.
• In the "Calculation" group, check if "Automatic" is selected in the dropdown for "Workbook Calculation."
• If it is set to "Manual," change it to "Automatic."
3. Check for Excel Add-Ins:
• Excel add-ins, especially third-party add-ins, can sometimes interfere with Excel's default behavior. Disable any unnecessary add-ins:
• Go to "File" > "Options."
• In the Excel Options dialog box, go to the "Add-Ins" tab.
• Disable any add-ins that you do not need or suspect might be causing the issue.
• Click "OK" to save the changes and restart Excel.
4. Test in a New Workbook:
• Create a new, blank workbook.
• Enter a starting date in a cell.
• Try using the fill handle to see if it fills dates sequentially in the new workbook. This can help determine if the issue is specific to your current workbook.
5. Update or Repair Excel:
• Ensure that your Microsoft Office installation is up-to-date with the latest updates and patches. Outdated software can sometimes lead to unexpected issues. You can also try repairing your Excel installation if updating does not help.
6. Check for Data Validation Rules:
• If there are data validation rules applied to the cells where you are trying to fill dates, it could affect the fill handle behavior. Check for and remove any data validation rules if they exist.
7. Try a Different User Profile:
• Sometimes, user-specific settings can cause issues. Create a new user profile on your computer and see if Excel behaves differently when used from that profile.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, it is possible that there may be a more complex problem with your specific Excel installation or configuration. In such cases, you may want to reach out to your organization's IT support for further assistance. Otherwise I would be at my wits' end here too.