Flash Fill in Excel is a new feature that was introduced in Excel 2013.

Flash Fill allows you to combine, extract, move & transform data that belongs in one column, into a new column.

One of the cool uses of Flash Fill is convert your values into Excel dates automatically.

 

YouTube video
Convert Values to Dates Using Flash Fill In Excel | MyExcelOnline

DOWNLOAD EXCEL WORKBOOK

 

To demonstrate the power of Excel’s Flash Fill, we will start off with this table of data where we need to convert to dates:

Flash Fill - Convert Text to Dates 01

 

STEP 1: Type 04-23-2016 as the first entry in the Date Format column.  

Flash Fill - Convert Text to Dates 02

 

STEP 2: We want the rest of the Text to be formatted this way, so in the second entry, type 12-30-2015.

(It is recommended to even type in a 3rd entry when dealing with dates, as there are many permutations and regional time formats!)

 

Notice that Excel did not auto-suggest to Flash Fill. There are times that this happens.

Flash Fill - Convert Text to Dates 03

Since Flash Fill did not start automatically when you are expecting for it to match your pattern, you can start it manually by highlighting the entire column you want it to fill.

Then click Data > Flash Fill or another alternative is to press Ctrl+E keyboard shortcut!

Flash Fill - Convert Text to Dates 04

Flash Fill - troubleshoot

 

STEP 3: You now have your data auto-populated using Flash Fill.  

What is very impressive is Excel was able to apply the same date format pattern to the rest of the table without the use of a single formula!

Flash Fill - Convert Text to Dates 05

 

 

Oz_Podcast_Banner

 

 

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

JOIN OUR FREE EXCEL COURSES BELOW
Click here to access these FREE Excel courses!

 

If you like this Excel tip, please share itEmail this to someone

email

Pin on Pinterest

Pinterest

Share on Facebook

Facebook

Tweet about this on Twitter

Twitter

Share on LinkedIn

Linkedin