How to Fill Sequential Dates in Nonadjacent Cells in WPS Office Spreadsheets
Question details
The user needs to create a daily date sequence from September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024 in a staffing worksheet, where each date is separated by empty cells in the same row.
- Product
- WPS Office Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A staffing worksheet needs a daily date sequence across a row, with blank cells separating the date cells.
- Observed behavior
- The date cells are separated by empty cells in the same row, so a standard date fill may not preserve the required spacing unless the complete pattern is selected.
Before filling, enter enough initial dates with the exact number of blank cells between them to establish the repeating layout. Then select the whole pattern plus the target cells before using the fill handle.
Fill Sequential Dates Across Nonadjacent Cells Using the Fill Handle
Use this method when dates are separated by blank cells in the same row and you want WPS Spreadsheets to continue the sequence automatically while keeping the spacing.
WPS Spreadsheets recognizes the relationship between the selected cells, including empty positions, and repeats that pattern as you drag the fill handle. This avoids filling the blank spacer cells or manually typing each date.
Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets, click the first date cell, type 9/1/2023, press Enter, leave the next cell blank, enter 9/2/2023 in the following cell, and repeat until the pattern is clear.
Select all cells you just entered, including the blank cells between the dates, then continue the selection to include the next empty cells where future dates should appear.
Hover over the lower-right corner of the selection until the fill handle icon appears, then drag it across the row to the end of the target range and release.
Fill Nonadjacent Date Sequences in WPS Office Spreadsheets
Use WPS Office Spreadsheets to extend a daily date sequence across nonadjacent cells by selecting the complete pattern and dragging the fill handle, with no manual date entry required.
- 1. Open the workbook: Open WPS Office Spreadsheets, click File > Open, and select the staffing workbook.
- 2. Enter the first pattern dates: Click the first target cell, type September 1, 2023, press Enter, leave the next cell blank, then type September 2, 2023 in the cell after it.
- 3. Select pattern and destination: Select the completed date-and-blank pattern, then drag the selection to include the empty cells where the date sequence should continue.
- 4. Drag the fill handle: Drag the fill handle at the lower-right corner of the selection across the row to August 31, 2024, then release to populate the dates with spacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the fill handle skip the right number of blank cells between dates?
Yes, if you select a pattern that includes the blank cells exactly as they should appear. WPS Spreadsheets repeats the selected pattern, so the date cells continue in the correct positions and blank cells remain empty.
Can I use this method for weekdays only or a different date interval?
Yes. Enter the first few date cells in the interval you need, such as weekdays or every other day, and include the blank cells in the selection before dragging the fill handle.
Why did the fill handle fill all cells, including the blank ones?
This usually happens when the selected pattern does not include the blank spacer cells. Select the complete pattern with the blank cells before dragging so WPS Spreadsheets preserves the spacing.
Does this work with an existing Excel .xlsx staffing worksheet?
Yes. WPS Office Spreadsheets opens and edits .xlsx files, and the fill handle pattern method works the same way when you open the workbook in WPS Office.
