WPS Spreadsheet Formula to Enter Today’s Date When a Name Is Selected
Question details
The user needs a formula that displays today’s date when a selected drop-down name matches specified values.
- Product
- WPS Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A name is selected in cell A2, and the user wants the corresponding date to appear automatically in cell B2.
- Observed behavior
- The date should remain blank when A2 is empty or does not match the specified names, and show the current date when A2 matches CINCO, Greenhouse, or Salty Autumn.
Confirm that the drop-down name is entered or selected in A2 and that B2 is the cell where the date should appear. Check the spelling and spacing of each allowed name before entering the formula.
Use an IF formula to show today’s date for selected names
Use this solution when a dynamic date should appear in B2 only for specific names selected in A2.
The formula checks whether A2 is blank, then tests whether the selected name matches one of the approved values. TODAY() updates when the spreadsheet recalculates, so the result is a dynamic date rather than a permanent timestamp.
Open the worksheet and select cell B2, or the cell directly beside the name selector in A2.
In the formula bar or directly in B2, enter =IF(ISBLANK(A2),"",IF(OR(A2="CINCO",A2="Greenhouse",A2="Salty Autumn"),TODAY(),"")) and press Enter.
Select B2, open the Home tab, choose the Number Format menu, and select a Date format such as Short Date.
Select CINCO, Greenhouse, or Salty Autumn in A2 and verify that B2 displays today’s date. Select another value or clear A2 to confirm that B2 becomes blank.
Create a Dynamic Name-Based Date Formula in WPS Spreadsheets
WPS Spreadsheets lets you combine drop-down selections with IF, OR, ISBLANK, and TODAY to display a date automatically. Enter the formula in the target cell, format it as a date, and test each allowed name.
- 1. Open the spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office, choose Spreadsheet, and open the workbook containing the name selector.
- 2. Select the output cell: Click cell B2, or the target cell next to the name selection in A2.
- 3. Enter the formula: Type =IF(ISBLANK(A2),"",IF(OR(A2="CINCO",A2="Greenhouse",A2="Salty Autumn"),TODAY(),"")) into the formula bar and press Enter.
- 4. Apply a date format: On the Home tab, open Number Format and choose a date style for the formula result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does B2 stay blank after I select a name?
Check that A2 exactly matches CINCO, Greenhouse, or Salty Autumn. Extra spaces, different capitalization, or a different spelling can prevent the OR condition from matching.
Where should I enter the formula in WPS Spreadsheets?
Select B2, or the target date cell beside the name selector, and enter the formula in the formula bar or directly in the cell before pressing Enter.
Can I use a different cell instead of A2 or B2?
Yes. Replace every reference to A2 with the cell containing the selected name, and enter the formula in the cell where the date should appear.
Will the date remain fixed once it appears?
No. TODAY() returns the current date and may update when WPS recalculates the workbook. To keep a permanent date, copy the result and use Paste Special to paste it as a value.
How can I add more names to the formula?
Add another condition inside OR, such as A2="New Name", separated by a comma. Keep each name in quotation marks and check the spelling carefully.
