Function Problems

How to Add 60 Days to a Date and Leave Blank if Empty in Excel

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs an Excel formula that adds 60 calendar days to a specific date in one column, but returns a blank cell if the source cell is empty.

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Calculating a future date based on an initial date, while avoiding formula errors or unwanted default values when the initial date entry is missing.
Observed behavior: A formula is required to correctly calculate the future date when a valid date is present, and display an empty cell when no date is entered in the source column.

Before you start

Ensure that the source column containing your initial dates is correctly formatted as 'Date' rather than 'Text' to allow accurate mathematical calculations.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the IF Function to Add 60 Days and Handle Empty Cells

This is the most straightforward method using the IF function to check for an empty cell before adding 60 days to your date.

The IF function evaluates whether a specific condition is met. By checking if the source cell is empty (""), you can instruct Excel to return a blank result. If the cell is not empty, the formula proceeds to add 60 days to the date.

Select the target cell

Click on the cell where you want the new future date to appear (for example, cell B2).

Enter the IF formula

Type `=IF(A2="","",A2+60)` into the formula bar and press Enter. Replace 'A2' with the cell reference that contains your original date.

Format as Date

Right-click the target cell (B2), select 'Format Cells', choose the 'Date' category, and pick your preferred date format.

Apply formula down the column

Click the bottom-right corner of the target cell and drag the fill handle down to apply the formula to the rest of the column.

Formula Breakdown: The 'A2=""' part checks if the cell is empty. The '""' part tells Excel to return a blank cell. The 'A2+60' part performs the actual date addition.

Efficient Date Calculations

Use WPS Spreadsheet to Handle Date Calculations Effortlessly

WPS Spreadsheet fully supports Excel formulas, including IF logic and date operations. You can easily add days to dates and manage blank cells using the exact same methods, completely free.

1. Open your file in WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open your workbook containing the original dates.
2. Input the IF formula: Select the destination cell where you want the result, and enter `=IF(A2="","",A2+60)`.
3. Format and fill down: Set the cell format to Date, then drag the fill handle down to apply it to all corresponding rows.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel formulas like IF and DATEEasily perform date calculations and complex data analysisFree and lightweight alternative for personal and professional useFamiliar user interface with zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add a different number of days instead of 60?

Simply change the '60' in the formula to your desired number of days. For example, to add 30 days, you would use `=IF(A2="","",A2+30)`.

Why does my formula result show a strange number instead of a date?

Excel and WPS Spreadsheet store dates as sequential serial numbers. If you see a 5-digit number like 44560, it means the cell is formatted as 'General' or 'Number'. Change the cell format to 'Date' to display it correctly.

Can I use this formula to subtract days from a date?

Yes, you can subtract days by changing the plus sign to a minus sign. For example, `=IF(A2="","",A2-60)` will subtract 60 days from the original date.

What if I want to skip weekends when adding 60 days?

To add only working days (skipping weekends), you need to use the WORKDAY function. The formula would be updated to `=IF(A2="","",WORKDAY(A2, 60))`.

Excel & Data Problems