Can I use the same method to make a calendar in Excel?

Yes. The DATE and WEEKDAY functions work the same way in Excel. The SEQUENCE function is available in newer versions of Excel (365 and 2021 onward). For older versions, use the IF and addition method described for Google Sheets.

How do I make the grid show only the current month's dates?

Use conditional formatting or an IF formula to check if each date's month matches the target month. If it does not, set the cell text color to white or leave it blank. This hides dates from the previous or next month.

What if I want to start the week on Monday instead of Sunday?

In the WEEKDAY function, you can add a second argument. For example, WEEKDAY(date, 2) returns 1 for Monday through 7 for Sunday. Adjust the IF formulas or SEQUENCE formula accordingly to place the first day in the correct column.

Can I add holidays to my DIY calendar template?

Yes. You can manually type holiday names into the date cells. For a more automated approach, create a separate list of holidays and use a lookup function to display them, but that requires more advanced spreadsheet skills.

How to Make a Calendar Template in Word or Google Sheets

Building a diy calendar template in Word, Google Sheets or Excel takes less than ten minutes. You need a grid with 7 columns for the days, up to 6 rows for the dates, and a header row. The result is a printable month you can reuse every month.

Understanding the Month Grid Layout

Every month grid uses 7 columns, one per day. It needs up to 6 rows of dates, plus a header row for the day names. A 6-row grid holds 42 cells. This covers any month. The first day can land on any column, and months run from a few to a few days. Extra cells at the end sit empty, or you can fill them with dates from the next month.

Building a Calendar in Word with a Table

Insert the Table and Label the Days

Open a blank document. Insert a table with 7 columns and 7 rows. The first row is your header. Type the day names across it: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Abbreviate them if space is tight.

Fill in the Dates

Look up the target month. Place the number 1 in the correct column for that month's first day. Fill the remaining dates sequentially across the rows. For a reusable template, leave the date cells blank, print multiple copies, or save a version for each month.

Use a Ready-Made Template

Word ships with pre-designed grids. Go to File, then New, and search for 'calendar'. Pick one and drop in your dates and events.

Building a Calendar in Google Sheets or Excel

A spreadsheet calculates dates for you. Build a google sheets calendar template or make a calendar in excel that refreshes when you change the month and year.

Set Up the Grid and Enter the Month

In a blank sheet, create a 7-column by 7-row grid. Put the day names in row 1, starting with Sunday in column A. Rows 2 through 7 hold the dates. Outside the grid, type the year in cell I1 and the month number in cell I2. For this example, use 2027 and 1 for January.

Place the First Day with DATE and WEEKDAY

In cell A2, enter a formula that finds the first of the month and drops it into the right column. The =DATE function returns a date: =DATE(2027,1,1) gives you January 1, 2027. The =WEEKDAY function tells you which column that day belongs in. By default, WEEKDAY returns 1 for Sunday through 7 for Saturday. January 1, 2027 is a Friday, so WEEKDAY returns 6. The 1 goes in column F, the sixth column.

To place it correctly, use this in cell A2:

=IF(WEEKDAY(DATE(2027,1,1))=1, DATE(2027,1,1), "")

That checks if the first day is Sunday. If yes, it shows the date. If not, the cell stays blank. You need a similar IF for each column, adjusting the WEEKDAY number. For column B (Monday, weekday 2), use:

=IF(WEEKDAY(DATE(2027,1,1))=2, DATE(2027,1,1), "")

Repeat for columns C through G, using 3 through 7.

Fill the Rest of the Grid Automatically

In the cell where the first day lands, add 1 to get the next day. If the first day is in F2, put =F2+1 in G2. Continue across the row. Start the next row from the last cell of the row above. Adding 1 to a date cell always gives the next day, so one formula dragged across the grid builds the whole month. To make the template reusable, swap the hardcoded year and month for cell references: =DATE(I1, I2, 1).

Using a Single Calendar Formula in Google Sheets

A faster calendar formula google sheets method uses one formula in the top-left cell to fill the entire grid. Enter this in cell A2:

=LET( firstDay, DATE(I1, I2, 1), startCell, firstDay - WEEKDAY(firstDay) + 1, SEQUENCE(6, 7, startCell) )

This finds the Sunday of the week containing the first of the month and generates a 6-row by 7-column sequence. The grid shows a few dates from the previous month if the 1st is not a Sunday. Format those cells to hide or grey them out.

Customizing Your DIY Calendar Template

Once the grid is built, add borders, change the fonts, and carve out space for notes. Keep a printed version clean. Add holiday labels by hand or link a separate list. For a ready-printed option, 2019calendar.info offers clean templates with holidays included.

Tips for Reusing Your Template

In Word, save the blank grid as a separate file. Open it each month, fill in the dates, and print.
In Google Sheets or Excel, change the year and month in the reference cells. The whole grid updates.
With the SEQUENCE formula, add conditional formatting to hide dates outside the current month.
Print in landscape orientation. The 7-column grid needs the width.