which generates a series of 12 dates, beginning with May 1, 2019, the date in C4. SEQUENCE can generate results in rows, columns, or rows and columns. In this example, we are asking sequence for an array of numbers that is 12 rows by 1 column, starting with the date in C4, and incrementing by 1. Because dates in Excel are just serial numbers, and the date in C4 is equivalent to 43586, SEQUENCE outputs an array like this: which spills into the range E5:E16. When formatted as dates, these values show 12 consecutive dates beginning with May 1, 2019 and ending with May 12, 2019.
Workdays only
To use SEQUENCE to generate a series of dates that are workdays only, you can wrap SEQUENCE in the WORKDAY or WORKDAY.INTL function. In the example shown, the formula in G5 is: Note: this is an array formula and must be entered with control + shift + enter. In addition, because this is a multi-cell array formula, you must select all 12 cells first to enter or edit the formula. Here, inside the WORKDAY function, we first subtract 1 day from the starting date. We do this to force WORKDAY.INTL to evaluate the start date, and to begin the sequence on the start date. Next, we use SEQUENCE to generate 12 sequential numbers: Because the columns, start, and step arguments are all optional, this outputs an array like this: These are the numbers provided as the days argument to WORKDAY.INTL. At each new row, WORKDAY.INTL calculates a workday n days in the future using the array delivered by SEQUENCE. WORKDAY.INTL automatically assumes Saturday and Sunday are “weekends” (not workdays) so these dates are excluded from results. WORKDAY.INTL can also be configured to handle custom weekends and holidays, as explained here.
Dave Bruns
Hi - I’m Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.
