First entered I guess means if the data changes leave the first date in.
Here is an example for data entered in column A. Dates are automatically
entered in column B:


Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
If Intersect(Range("A:A"), Target) Is Nothing Then
Exit Sub
End If
If IsEmpty(Target.Offset(0, 1)) Then
Application.EnableEvents = False
Target.Offset(0, 1).Value = Now()
Application.EnableEvents = True
End If
End Sub


This is worksheet code and does not go in a standard module.
--
Gary''s Student
gsnu200712

Now having had a chance to look at this a little closer, I am coming to the
conclusion it is not what I was hoping it might be. It's a macro and
therefore not something I can run from within a cell (as I understand the
help documentation).
I was looking for a custom function and I know next to nothing about VBA, so
am unsure how to make this into one, if it can be made into one at all. I've
tried changing 'Sub' into 'Function' but it does do it for me.
The good news is that you have given me a much better idea as to how to
start. For instance, providing I don't try to use a range, the guts of the
macro work very well in a cell as an IF() statement, e.g. IF (C2<"", NOW(),
""). I now just need to understand how to make it work with a range of
target cell values. I've tried IF (C2:H2<"", NOW(), "") and also IF (C2<""
AND B2<"" AND... etc, NOW(), "")but this doesn't work - obvious to you,
perhaps, why, but not yet to me...



"Gary''s Student" wrote:

This version will work with any cell, not just cells in column A
This version works with mutiple cells, so copy/paste will record the date
for an entire block of cells:


Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
For Each r In Target
If IsEmpty(r.Offset(0, 1)) Then
Application.EnableEvents = False
r.Offset(0, 1).Value = Now()
Application.EnableEvents = True
End If
Next
End Sub

--
Gary's Student
gsnu200712

This version will work with any cell, not just cells in column A
This version works with mutiple cells, so copy/paste will record the date
for an entire block of cells:


Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
For Each r In Target
If IsEmpty(r.Offset(0, 1)) Then
Application.EnableEvents = False
r.Offset(0, 1).Value = Now()
Application.EnableEvents = True
End If
Next
End Sub

--
Gary's Student
gsnu200712