How to Set Sunday as the First Day in an Excel Calendar
Question details
The user wants to change the default starting day of the week from Monday to Sunday in an Excel academic calendar template.
- Product
- Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing a pre-built academic or standard calendar template in Excel to match regional norms or personal scheduling preferences.
- Observed behavior
- The calendar template displays Monday as the default first day of the week, and the user needs a method to adjust the layout to start on Sunday.
Ensure you have downloaded and opened a dynamic Excel calendar template that includes interactive drop-down lists for modifying layout preferences.
Change the First Day Using the Template Drop-down Menu
Quickly switch the starting day to Sunday utilizing the built-in dynamic drop-down settings integrated into most Excel calendar templates.
Many official Excel calendar templates are built with interactive features that allow users to alter the layout without touching complex formulas. This method relies on data validation drop-down lists typically placed right on the calendar header or in a dedicated settings tab.
Open your Excel calendar template. Click on the cell that currently defines the first day of the week, which is typically labeled as 'Monday' either on the top-left of the calendar grid or in a separate 'Settings' worksheet.
Look for a small arrow icon appearing next to the active cell, indicating a data validation drop-down menu. Click this arrow to reveal the list of available days.
Choose 'Sunday' from the drop-down list. The calendar's formulas will automatically recalculate, shifting all dates and headers to reflect Sunday as the first day of the week.
Manually Modify the Calendar Date Formulas
If your calendar template lacks a built-in drop-down menu, you can manually adjust the date calculation formulas to start the week on Sunday.
Easily Customize Calendar Templates with WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Spreadsheet makes managing and customizing calendars incredibly simple. You can effortlessly set Sunday as the first day of the week using intuitive drop-down menus across a massive library of beautifully designed, free calendar templates.
- 1. Open the Template Library: Launch WPS Spreadsheet. Navigate to the Homepage and click on 'Templates' in the left-hand sidebar, then search for 'Calendar'.
- 2. Download a Dynamic Template: Browse the available options, select an academic or standard calendar template that fits your needs, and click 'Use Now' to download and open it.
- 3. Change the First Day to Sunday: Click the drop-down arrow located on the first day's header (or in the template's setting panel) and choose 'Sunday'. WPS Spreadsheet will instantly recalculate and format your calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't the numerical dates update when I typed Sunday in the header?
If you are using a static template, typing 'Sunday' only changes the text label but does not affect the underlying calendar grid. To update the numbers, you must either manually shift the dates or use a dynamic template equipped with date-calculating formulas.
Can I change the system default first day of the week so all Excel calendars start on Sunday?
Yes, Excel determines default date formats based on your computer's regional settings. On Windows, you can go to Settings > Time & Language > Region > Change data formats, and set the 'First day of week' drop-down to Sunday.
Are calendar templates customized in WPS Spreadsheet compatible with Microsoft Excel?
Absolutely. Any calendar template created or modified in WPS Spreadsheet can be saved in the standard .xlsx file format. All formatting, drop-down menus, and WEEKDAY formulas will work flawlessly when opened in Microsoft Excel.
How do I create a drop-down list for the days of the week myself?
Select the cell where you want the drop-down. Go to the Data tab, click 'Data Validation', choose 'List' under the Allow criteria, and type 'Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday' in the Source box. Click OK to apply.
