How to Calculate Days Between Dates in Excel

Calculating the number of days between two dates is a fundamental task in Microsoft Excel. Regardless of what sort of project you’re working on, Excel’s date and time functions can help you accomplish a variety of tasks. It may seem challenging to calculate the number of days between two dates at first glance, but Excel makes it easy with its built-in functions. Fortunately, Microsoft Excel offers a variety of date-related functions that automate the process of calculating the number of days, weeks, and months between two dates. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to calculate the difference between two dates in Excel in a matter of seconds.

Understanding Excel Dates

Before we dive into calculating the number of days between two dates in Excel, let’s spend some time understanding how Excel handles dates.

Excel stores dates as serial numbers, with January 1, 1900, being the starting date (serial number 1). Excel for Mac uses the January 1, 1904, date system by default. You can change the date system in Excel’s advanced options.

Using this system, Excel stores each date as a unique serial number, which allows you to perform calculations with dates, such as adding or subtracting days or determining the number of days between two dates.

Calculating the number of days between two dates in Excel

There are different ways you can calculate the number of days between two dates in Excel. In this section, we will explore two of the most straightforward methods.

Method 1 – Subtracting Two Dates

The first method involves subtracting one date from the other. For example, say you have two dates in cells A1 and B1, and you want to find out the number of days between them. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Select an empty cell where you want to display the answer.
2. Enter the formula: =B1-A1, where B1 is the later date and A1 is the earlier date. This formula subtracts the earlier date from the later date.
3. The result will be displayed as a negative number, so you need to format the cell to display it as a positive number. Select the cell, right-click, and choose “Format Cells.” Select “Number” and choose “0” as the number of decimal places.
4. Press “OK,” and you’ll see the number of days between the two dates displayed in the cell.

Method 2 – Using DATEDIF Function

The second method involves using the DATEDIF function. The DATEDIF function calculates the difference between two dates in various units, such as days, months, or years.

1. Select an empty cell where you want to display the answer.
2. Enter the formula: =DATEDIF(A1,B1,"d"), where A1 and B1 are the two dates you want to calculate the difference between and “d” is the unit in which you want the answer (in this case, days).
3. The result will be displayed as the number of days between the two dates.

Calculating the number of days between two dates in Excel doesn’t have to be a complicated task. With these two methods, you can easily find the number of days between any two dates. Keep in mind that Excel stores dates as serial numbers, so you need to take that into account when performing calculations with dates.

Formatting Dates in Excel

It’s essential to format dates correctly in Excel to avoid any confusion. By default, Excel formats dates as “mm/dd/yyyy,” but you can change the format as per your preference. Excel offers various date formatting options, such as “dd/mm/yyyy” or “yyyy-mm-dd.” To change the date format, right-click on a cell or group of cells with dates and select “Format Cells.” Choose the “Date” category, select a format, and click “OK.”

Calculating Working Days Between Two Dates in Excel

Calculating the number of working days (also known as business days) between two dates is a common requirement in Excel. For example, if you want to calculate the number of business days between two dates, excluding weekends and holidays, you can use Excel’s NETWORKDAYS function.

1. Select an empty cell where you want to display the answer.
2. Enter the formula: =NETWORKDAYS(A1,B1), where A1 is the earlier date, and B1 is the later date.
3. Excel counts the end date, so if you want to exclude the end date, add “-1” to the formula: =NETWORKDAYS(A1,B1)-1.

Calculating Age in Excel

If you have someone’s birthdate, you can calculate their age in Excel with some simple arithmetic. Using the TODAY function, you can automatically update the age based on the current date.

1. Select an empty cell where you want to display the answer.
2. Enter the formula: , where A1 is the cell with the birthdate.
3. The result will be displayed as a whole number, which is the person’s age.

Final Words

Calculating the number of days between two dates in Excel is a basic but essential task that you’ll likely encounter frequently. By using the methods outlined above, you can easily calculate this figure, as well as calculate age and business days. Remember to format your dates correctly, and make use of Excel’s vast date and time functions to streamline your work.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about calculating the number of days between dates in Excel:

What is the quickest way to calculate the number of days between two dates in Excel?

The quickest way to calculate the number of days between two dates in Excel is to subtract one date from the other using the formula: =B1-A1, where B1 is the later date and A1 is the earlier date.

Can I calculate the number of working days between two dates in Excel?

Yes, you can use Excel’s NETWORKDAYS function to calculate the number of working days (business days) between two dates, excluding weekends and holidays.

How do I calculate age in Excel?

You can calculate age based on someone’s birthdate in Excel using a simple formula: INT((TODAY()-A1)/365.25), where A1 is the cell with the birthdate.

How do I format date cells in Excel?

To format date cells in Excel, select the cell or group of cells containing dates, right-click on them, and select “Format Cells.” Choose the “Date” category, select a format, and click “OK.”

How does Excel handle dates?

Excel stores dates as serial numbers, with January 1, 1900, being the starting date. Each date is a unique serial number, which allows you to perform calculations with dates, such as adding or subtracting days or determining the number of days between two dates.