Is there a way to have text in a cell erase itself on a set date?

[Keegan1116]

Hi there,

I am wondering if it is possible to write something in a cell (ie: "WAIT") and have that text erase itself on a certain date or in a certain number of days?

[Pauleyb]

You could write a function that shows "WAIT" until a date is reached and then "". Something like =IF(datecell>=TODAY()-7,"WAIT","")

If you truly want to write any text in the cell and for it to vanish, you
- would need some vba to truly clear the cell
- could use conditional formatting to make the text "white" so that it is no longer visible (but if you go to the cell, it would show "WAIT" in the formula bar). So this is strictly cosmetic.

[Keegan1116]

Hmmm, okay I will try that function. I just often find that I am having to wait a couple of weeks before completing an action, but I am still being told (by action cells) to complete said action. It would be nice to not have to check every time whether or not I actually have to complete that action or wait a few days. If there is anything written in the cell at all, the action goes away. Thanks for the help!

[Keegan1116]

Question: Can you explain the calculation steps for this formula? I'm having a hard time understanding how it would work fro some reason. Would I not need to enter a date in the cell for this to work? Like I would have to enter the date that I want it to wait until in a separate cell, and then reference that cell in this formula?

[Pauleyb]

Yes, you would need to define a date and place it in a cell for when you want the text erased. I was adding a 7 day buffer.
So, if the date is in cell A1 and you want B1 to show "WAIT" if today is before the date in A1 or nothing when the date in A1 is reached you would use:
=IF(A1>TODAY(),"WAIT","")