How to Excel Date Formula

Microsoft Excel is one of the most widely used tools for data analysis and management. Efficiency and accuracy in performing tasks with Excel is essential for anyone who works with data. Excel offers a wide range of date and time functions that can assist in performing complex operations on dates and times. In this blog post, we will provide a concise guide on how to excel the date formula in Microsoft Excel. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a greater comprehension of how to properly use date functions in Excel.

Understanding Date Function in Excel

Before going into how to use the date formula in Excel, it is essential to understand the concept of dates in Excel. Dates in Excel are stored as serial numbers starting from 01/01/1900, where 1 is equal to January 1, 1900, 2 is January 2, 1900, and so on. Excel has a comprehensive range of functions that can be used to manipulate and interpret dates, such as DATE, TODAY, DAY, MONTH, YEAR, and more.

How to Create Date with the DATE Function

The DATE function is an important feature that can be used for several operations concerning dates and time. It allows you to format a specific date by inputting the year, month, and day in either numbers or cell references. Follow the steps below to utilize the DATE function:

Step 1:

Open a new or existing Excel sheet and select the cell where you want to display the date.

Step 2:

Type the formula =DATE(YEAR,MONTH,DAY) in the selected cell or the formula bar.

Step 3:

Replace the YEAR, MONTH, and DAY with the year, month, and day values you want to use as arguments.

Example:

Suppose you want to input the date 06/12/2022, here’s how to use the DATE function:

=DATE(2022, 6, 12)

The output will be 06/12/2022, displayed in the cell.

How to Calculate the Difference between Two Dates

The DATEDIF function is used to compute the time difference between two dates in Excel.

Step 1:

Select the cell you want to use to display the result.

Step 2:

Enter the formula =DATEDIF(start_date,end_date,unit)

Step 3:

Replace the “start_date” and “end_date” parameters with the actual dates you want to compare. In “unit,” type “d” if you want to calculate the total days difference, “m” for months, and “y” for years. Remember to enclose d,m, or y in quotes.

Example:

Suppose you want to determine the difference between 10/02/2020 and 03/06/2022 in days. Here’s how to use the DATEDIF function:

=DATEDIF(“10/02/2020″,”03/06/2022″,”d”)

The output will be 513.

In conclusion, mastering the date formula in Excel is a valuable skill that will save you a lot of time and effort. With the DATE and DATEDIF functions, you can perform advanced calculations, analyze data, and more. By following the steps provided above, you can now create, format, and compare dates in a snap of a finger.

How to Filter Dates in Excel

Filtering dates in Excel is an essential task that allows you to analyze data based on particular periods, such as weeks, months, or years. The filters designed in Excel make it easy for the user to sort records based on their preferences. In the steps below, we will show you how to use Excel to filter dates.

Step 1:

Highlight the column containing the date information you want to filter.

Step 2:

Click the “Filter” option on the “Data” tab or “Sort & Filter” on the “Home” tab. Excel will display filter arrows on each column header.

Step 3:

Click the filter arrow, and you will see various options to filter dates. In this list, choose the desired period, either week, month, year, or custom.

Step 4:

Check the box next to the selected date range and click “OK.” Excel will filter the data table automatically, and you will see only the records for that specific date range.

Formatting Date in Excel

Excel offers a range of date formatting options that make it easy to create visually appealing and consistent reports. Here are a few formatting options in Excel:

• Short Date: Displays the date in dd/mm/yyyy format.
• Long Date: Displays a more extended version of the date, such as “Monday, January 1st, 2022.”
• Time: Displays the time in hh:mm:ss format.
• Custom: Allows the user to create a custom format to display the date and time in any format.

Using Conditional Formatting to Highlight Dates in Excel

Conditional formatting in Excel is a useful feature that allows you to format cells based on predefined values or rules. For example, you can use conditional formatting to highlight cells with certain dates. Here’s how to apply conditional formatting to dates in Excel:

Step 1:

Select the range of cells containing the dates you want to highlight.

Step 2:

Select “Conditional Formatting” from the “Home” tab and choose one of the pre-defined formats under the “Date” category or select “New Rule” to create a custom condition.

Step 3:

Choose the cell range you want to apply the formatting to and set the formatting options to apply.

Step 4:

Click “OK,” and the conditional formatting will be applied to the selected dates in your sheet.

Excel’s Date Formula is a powerful tool that allows for efficient and accurate calculation and analysis of date and time in Excel spreadsheets. The DATE and DATEDIF functions are essential functions to know as they assist in creating, comparing, and analyzing date information. Understanding how to filter, format, and apply conditional formatting to dates in Excel can make data analysis easier and more efficient. With the tips outlined in this article, you can become more confident in your use of Excel and more productive in your work.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about using date formula in Microsoft Excel:

How do I calculate the current date in Excel?

To calculate the current date in Excel, you can use the TODAY function. Simply type =TODAY() in the cell where you want to display the current date, and Excel will auto-populate the cell with the current date in your system’s default date format.

Can I use Excel to calculate the difference between two times, not just dates?

Yes. To calculate the difference between two times in Excel, you can use the built-in time functions such as HOUR, MINUTE, and SECOND. Subtract the earlier time from the later time and use the time functions to extract hours, minutes, and seconds. Then, use these values to calculate the time difference you need.

How can I calculate someone’s age using their birthdate in Excel?

You can use the DATEDIF and TODAY functions to calculate someone’s age in Excel. The formula you can use is: =DATEDIF(Birthdate, TODAY(), “y”), where “Birthdate” is the cell containing the birthdate of the person you want to calculate the age, and “y” represents the age unit we need to use, which is years.

Can I change the date format in Excel?

Yes. Excel provides a range of date formats that you can use. To change the date format in Excel, select the cell that contains the date you want to change. Then, select “Format Cells” from the “Home” or “Format” menu, and choose the format you want to use.

How can I sort by month in Excel?

To sort by month, you need to extract the month’s value from dates first. You can do this by using the MONTH function, which extracts the month value from a date. Once you have a separate month column, you can use Excel’s sort features to sort by month in ascending or descending order.