Question: when I drag a date to the line below it, the date advances by one day. I don't want this. I would like the same date to drag down each time
Answer: If you turn off autofill, you will also turn off the ability to drag cells down. I don't think this is what you are looking for. An alternative approach is to highlight all the cells you wish to fill, type the value and then press Ctrl + ENTER at the same time. It will help you fill up the highlighted cells with the same date.