How to Change an Excel Calendar to Start the Week on Monday
Question details
The user wants to change the starting day of the week from Sunday to Monday in an Excel one-month-per-tab calendar template.
- Product
- Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing a pre-built Excel calendar template to align with a Monday-first workweek.
- Observed behavior
- The default calendar template displays Sunday as the first day of the week, and the user needs to switch this to Monday across all month tabs.
Ensure you have the one-month-per-tab calendar template open in your spreadsheet application and verify that the template includes built-in drop-down controls for weekday customization.
Use the Built-in Template Drop-down List
Quickly adjust the starting day of the week for the entire calendar by using the template's designated settings cell.
Most official one-month-per-tab calendar templates come with built-in data validation drop-downs. Modifying the master setting cell automatically updates the layout and dates for all subsequent month worksheets.
Navigate to the first tab of your calendar template, which is typically the January worksheet.
Find the specific cell designated for changing the starting day of the week. In the standard template, this is usually cell K3.
Click the drop-down arrow next to the cell and select 'Monday' from the list of available days.
Check the other month tabs to ensure that the weekday order has updated accordingly from Monday to Sunday across the entire workbook.
Customize Your Calendar Templates Easily in WPS Office
WPS Spreadsheet fully supports Excel calendar templates, including drop-down lists and dynamic formulas. You can seamlessly open your template, adjust the starting day, and manage your schedule for free.
- 1. Open Your Template: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your downloaded Excel calendar template file.
- 2. Navigate to the Settings Tab: Click on the January tab or the designated settings worksheet at the bottom of the screen.
- 3. Access the Drop-down: Click on the cell controlling the weekday (e.g., cell K3) to reveal the drop-down menu.
- 4. Change the Start Day: Select 'Monday' from the list. WPS Spreadsheet will automatically recalculate and update all calendar tabs instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't the other months update when I changed the first day in January?
This usually happens if formula calculation is set to manual in your spreadsheet settings. Ensure that automatic calculation is enabled. Also, double-check that you modified the exact cell designated by the template to control the workbook's layout.
Can I manually type 'Monday' instead of using the drop-down?
Yes, if the cell uses data validation, typing 'Monday' manually will work as long as it exactly matches the acceptable list. However, using the drop-down is recommended to avoid typos that might break the calendar formulas.
How do I change the start day if my template doesn't have a drop-down list?
If your template lacks a built-in toggle, you will need to manually overwrite the weekday headers (e.g., changing the first column to Monday) and adjust the corresponding date formulas in the first row of the calendar grid so they align with the new layout.
