Simply enter the first date involved into a cell (A1) then other cells can
either base their dates on it, as
=A1 + 5
for 5 days after A1

or even on a second, calculated date:
in B1 perhaps is =A1+5 (5 days after date in A1)
somewhere else = B1 + 4 (4 days after date in B1 [9 days after date in A1])

Does that help any?

"Harlet Rider" wrote:

I am trying to set up a tracking schedule for vehicle repair. I need to set
a time line to track initial work, when to order parts, when to schedule the
work etc. Basically I want column A to be the start or work request , all
the way to column J to be the start of work. In between will be target dates.
So A will be lets say 180 days from J. And in between A-J will be other
target dates that are critical to planning of the work and ordering parts.