Create Daily Log Filenames
As a foreman, I need to efficiently generate consistent and unique filenames for daily project logs. Each filename must combine the specific 'Date' of the log, the 'Project ID', and a standard suffix like '-DailyLog.xlsx' to ensure easy organization and retrieval.
=CONCATENATE(TEXT(A2,"YYYY-MM-DD"),"-",B2,"-DailyLog.xlsx") How it works: This formula uses CONCATENATE to join several text strings into a single filename. The `TEXT(A2,"YYYY-MM-DD")` function is crucial here; it converts the date in cell A2 from its numerical Excel format into a readable 'YYYY-MM-DD' text string. This prevents the date from appearing as a serial number (e.g., '45224'). We then concatenate hyphens as separators, the 'Project ID' from cell B2, and the fixed text '-DailyLog.xlsx' to form a complete, standardized filename suitable for daily log organization.
Data Setup
| Date | Project ID |
|---|---|
| 2023-10-26 | P101 |
| 2023-10-27 | P102 |
| 2023-10-28 | P101 |
Step-by-Step Guide
Open your Excel sheet containing the 'Date' (e.g., in column A) and 'Project ID' (e.g., in column B).
Select the cell where you want the first filename to appear (e.g., C2).
Enter the formula: `=CONCATENATE(TEXT(A2,"YYYY-MM-DD"),"-",B2,"-DailyLog.xlsx")`
Press Enter to see the generated filename.
Drag the fill handle (the small square at the bottom-right of cell C2) down to apply the formula to all other rows, creating filenames for each log entry.