Comments on: Excel date functions with formula examples

This is the final part of our Excel Date Tutorial that offers an overview of all Excel date functions, explains their basic uses and provides lots of formula examples. Continue reading →

Comments page 5. Total comments: 595

  1. Hello,

    Very Complex question here I believe and I'll try my best to explain the situation. In short Im trying to figure out how to return a value of a widget in a separate column, of adjacent cells, when I select a given date from a drop down list while also being able to toggle between any other date to return the value of the widget based on that date that is selected. I update the value of the widgets manually every monday and they are listed vertically in values from F5:F479. The dates are arranged horizontally from F4:XFD. So as i update the values every monday the values change in columns by 1 every time (which represents 1 week basically) but im just adding to the previous weeks list of values so that i can monitor the increase or decrease in those values over time. So column "A" contains the name of the widget, Columns "E" through the end of the entire worksheet contain the listed weekly values, Column "D" is the column I want to use to show me the value of the adjacent widget based on the date i select from the drop down list. I have defined names for certain cells and arrays to utilize index match functions as well, i just cant figure out how to combine all the different possible functions of excel to get this to work. Any help is greatly appreciated. Would love to set up a meeting even to go over this if at all possible. Thank you!!

  2. Hi all,

    I would like to have a formula where the end result (as a date) is 1 month after the value selected, but I want it to be corrected to FRIDAY of that week, every time.
    For example,
    the value selected is: 25MAY22
    the end result that we want: 24JUN22
    ===>25MAY22 + 1 month (22JUN22 - which is Wednesday) and to the Friday of that week --> 24JUN22

    Is that possible to do that as a formula?

      1. Hey Alexander,

        Thank you for you quick reply, and yes the formula worked!

        By 1-month, I actually meant 4 weeks;
        25MAY
        1 week later: 01JUN
        2 weeks later: 08JUN
        4 weeks later: 22JUN

        I hope this makes more sense, but regardless, thanks again.

  3. I'm not sure if this relates specifically to any of the month formulas, but I'm trying to calculate vacation accrual each month. How can I have a specific value added to a cell automatically on the first day of each month? So, add 15 hours every 1st of the month to one cell, to continually show my vacation balance. Thanks!

  4. I have 3 columns representing dates of vaccination (1st dose, 2nd dose, 3rd dose dates). I have another column with visit dates. I must compare dates of vaccination to visit date- to see how many doses they had prior to the visit date. How can i do this. some time the first dose can be blank as they are unvaccinated.

    1. Hello!
      If I got you right, the formula below will help you with your task:

      =SUM((A1:C1 < D1)*(A1:C1 < > ""))

      D1 - visit date
      A1:C1 - dates of vaccination

  5. Hi, is there a way to get the nth day based on a specified start month?

    Day 0 is May 1, 2022
    Day 1 is May 2, 2022, and so on.

    If I were to input Jun 15, 2022, can it provide me what Day it is?

    Thanks in advance!

  6. I am trying to figure out if there's a way to get a "live count" on a spreadsheet. For example, I deal with people with terminal illnesses. I'm trying to track their lifespan from the date of the diagnosis to see how long their lifespan is. I have it figured out once they pass away. Is there a way to have a formula that will update each day that passes from the "start date" (which is the diagnosis date)... but there is no end date yet?

    Example E1 is the diagnosis date 1/20/2022, F1 is blank because there's no deceased date yet, and G1 will show "5" because today is the 5th day. Then tomorrow, it will automatically roll to "6" for the 6th day. Is this even possible to do in excel?

  7. Hi guys, I need help with this.

    Trying to set today date into a cell with 25.12.2021

    I keep getting 12/25/2021 when I use TODAY()

    Any help?

      1. Hi Alexander,

        Can a formula do that without going to custom formatting?

        I'm trying to use a bot to set the text in the cell. This cell is also referenced by some other cells.

        If there is a formula for this I will really appreciate.

        1. Hi!
          I guess you haven't read the manual from the link I gave you. There is a paragraph: How to change date format in Excel. You don't need to apply conditional formatting.
          By the way, no Excel formula can change the cell format. This can be done either manually or using a VBA macro.

  8. When I try put a date inside of if, it's doesn't work.

    For example, put this formula: =IF(A2>"6/30/2039";"6/30/2039";A2)

    Could you see is there something wrong?

  9. I want to set up a tracker for completion of mandatory training. The training is due to be completed on induction and then every 3 years following but in a specific month. I am having trouble with rounding the year over where induction is, say October, and the training is due to be completed in January. For example, the training was completed on induction on 28/10/2021 and needs to be completed every 3 years following in January. So the next training would be due 28/01/2025 as otherwise it would be only 2 years and 3 months until the next training.

    I have developed the following formula for the Next Completion Due cell (where cell D3 is the date the training is completed):

    =IF(OR(D3=DATE(,1,),D3=DATE(,2,)),DATE(YEAR(D3)+4,1,DAY(D3)),DATE(YEAR(D3)+3,1,DAY(D3)))

    The problem I am having is that regardless of what month I put in the D3 cell, the year is not rolling over to the next year where the training is completed in March or later (still using the January example).

    So when I enter 28/1/2021 the next completion date using the above formula comes out as 28/1/2024, but when I enter 28/10/2021 the next completion date using the above formula also comes out as 28/1/2024 (and not 28/1/2025 as I am intending it to be).

    Any ideas on how to get this to work for me would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks.

    1. Created a report due date calculator to track when a report is due. (It is due no later than 16 days from admit date, but by Wednesday of that due week...) I am getting all the correct returns, with the exception of Tuesday Admits should be the same due date as the Wednesday Admits (all others are calculating as they are required per the client).
      The formula I used is to generate my due date is: =IF(B15="","",B15+14-MOD(B15-4,7))

      Not even sure if it is possible, but hoping! this error in due date only occurs on that every other Tuesday date, because it gets a little longer grace period than the others.

      Admit Date Report Due
      12/6/21 12/15/21
      12/7/21 12/15/21 (this one needs to be 12/22)
      12/8/21 12/22/21
      12/9/21 12/22/21
      12/10/21 12/22/21
      12/11/21 12/22/21
      12/12/21 12/22/21
      12/13/21 12/22/21
      12/14/21 12/22/21 (this one needs to be 12/29)
      12/15/21 12/29/21

      1. Hello!
        If I understand your task correctly, the following formula should work for you:

        =A2+16-WEEKDAY(A2+16,14)

        This should solve your task.

        1. This new formula worked perfectly! Thank you so much!

          1. Works perfect! I just added in the portion to "hide" the date when it is blank:
            =IF(B7="","",B7+16-WEEKDAY(B7+16,14))

            Thanks again!

  10. How to calculate commission

    Source :
    1)company
    2) ref

    If source Ref :
    Ref benefits
    1)01-07-2020 to 31-12-2020
    (1st ref benefit-2000)
    (2nd ref benefit -30000 and)
    (3rd ref benefits 40000)
    2) 1-1-2021 to 31 march 2021
    (1st ref benefit 25000)
    (2nd ref benefits 25000)
    ( 3rd benefit 25000)
    3) 01-04-2021 To 31-03-2022
    ( 1 ref benefits 50000)
    ( 2nd ref benefit 50000)
    ( 3rd ref benefit 50000)

    If source company benefits
    Brokerage 3%
    =value *brokerage commission

    Please help how to calculate in one column?

    1. Please help

      1. Hi!
        The information you provided is not enough to understand your case and give you any advice, sorry. Your question is not entirely clear, please specify.

  11. Hello Alex, just want to ask. How to know the difference between to dates in one formula.
    Ex Jan 2021 and March 2021
    or March 2021 and Jan 2021

    Tried using DATEDIF but having error for negative months. Thank you!

  12. Hi.. I need help. I have column A (hire date) and B(termination date)

    Hire date 01/01/2000
    Termination date 20/04/2021

    How i want to calculate number of day started from 01/07/2020 - until termination date?

    Appreciate your help

  13. Please what is the formula calculating. I know the first row is the difference between the two dates
    DATEDIF([Date Reported ],[Date Closed],DAY),
    DATEDIF([Date],TODAY()+IF(HOUR(NOW())>14,1,0),DAY)

  14. Hello,

    I am trying to return a payroll date based on a hire date for incentive. The incentive is paid after 2 months of employment. I can use EDATE to calculate the 2 month date, but need to have the result hit the corresponding pay date. We have 24 pay periods so our pay dates are on the 15th and the final day of the month. I need the result to return one of those two days based on when the day the 2 month anniversary is hit. i.e.
    Hire Date = 1/5/21
    2 months = 3/5/21
    Pay Date = 3/15/21

    but if that person was hired on 1/18/21, then they would be paid on 3/31/21. How can I get those pay dates to calculate automatically?

  15. Is there an MS Excel formula that determines the date/year of retirement after 60 years of age when the date of birth is known?
    I will be very grateful!

    1. Hello!
      Add 60 years to your date of birth as described in this article. You will receive the date you want.
      I hope I answered your question. If something is still unclear, please feel free to ask.

  16. How to find smallest of set of dates.

  17. I would like to be able to conditional format cells that are within 30 days of a date shown in a cell

    How would i do this?

    Many thanks

  18. I am looking to add a review date to a contract expiry date and convert it the month.

    For example: expiry date is 02/09/2021 and I need to set the review date 90 days before.
    I have =09/09/2021-90 and it returns 09/06/2021 but I would like to it to return June?

  19. Hi Alex,

    Im looking for a formula that escapes me at the minute, I have an invoice where the start date begins on the 21st of each month say 21/02/2021 in cell d3, in a column I have days in the week Sunday to Saturday cells a5:a11. In the formula I need the date to change based on the invoice start date, the 21st and the day in the week column a5:a11?

    So If cell a5, which is Sunday is the 21st cell a6, Monday would become the 22nd etc.

    I have done a formula like this before but it escapes me what the best way to do it is.

    Thanks in advance

  20. Can I conditionally format a column to let me know if the date I type in is a future date?

  21. HI,

    I would like to know that i have date in a column(Ex: A2) which has to find if the same date fall between any given period.

    Ex: 10-Feb-2021 located in column A2

    Period: 1-Feb-2021 to 28-Feb-201 (located in another column)

    Same kind of details need to find out multiple employee leave details

    if A2 date fall between that particular period then i need to keep the remarks or need to highlight.

    Thanks in advance for your assistance

  22. I am trying to figure out how to insert a date if the cell is not blank. As in when A2 is not blank, then B2 fills in today's date. I have tried various formulas and keep getting an error.

    1. Hello!
      If I understand your task correctly, the following formula should work for you:

      =IF(A2<>"", IF(B2="",NOW(), B2), "")

      To prevent your date from automatically changing, you can use several methods:
      1. Use the recommendations from this article in our blog.
      2. Replace the date and time returned by the TODAY function with their values. Copy the date (CTRL + C), then paste only the values using Paste Special or Shortcut CTRL + ALT + V.
      I hope my advice will help you solve your task.

  23. Is there a formula I can apply to two columns that automatically adjusts the dates by one should the start day be changed. For example, if I have a start date of 03/01/2021 and I change it to 03/02/2021, it automatically shifts the dates in the Start Date and End Date column below by however many days its been changed or by one day off what they currently are? I currently use excel to track tasks for construction projects and have manually changed all dates. This is time consuming but necessary to track progress. I appreciate your time.

    1. Hello!
      An Excel formula can only change the value of the cell in which it is written. In the columns Start Date and End Date, you need to write formulas that will automatically change dates. The information you have provided is not sufficient to provide more accurate advice.
      Describe in detail what problem you have, and I will try to help you.

  24. I wanted to prepare aging report for receivables with overdue days and what would be the formula if payment received

    1. Hello!
      I’m sorry but your task is not entirely clear to me. Could you please describe it in more detail? What result do you want to get? Give an example of the source data and the expected result.

  25. I have a monthly payments due date what is the formula? Also I have couple of yearly (annually) payment due date so what is the formula for yearly date?

  26. Hi Team. I have calendar month, range from 1 to 30 day in cell A1 to A30 to and i have in cell A10=14, A11= 7. I have another work sheet call STAT and i wanted to display the SUM of A10 and A11 to dynamically for each day. The issue for me is looping each day dynamically. Hope you can help

    1. Hi,
      I’m sorry but your task is not entirely clear to me. For me to be able to help you better, please describe your task in more detail. Please specify what you were trying to find, what formula you used and what problem or error occurred. Give an example of the source data and the expected result.
      It’ll help me understand it better and find a solution for you.

  27. Is there a way to have the current date that will not update? I'm trying to track compliance dates - so for example when column D=0 column E will show the date that D first equaled 0.

      1. Yes! - Thank you!!

  28. I’m a senior nurse trying to figure out what formula I can use to get the duration (in hours) between 2 dates with times.
    The way the cells are configured is
    08/10/2018 06:00
    06/11/2018 19:00
    Please help

    1. Hello!
      Use a subtraction formula

      =B2-A2

      In a cell with a formula, apply a custom time format

      "37:30:55"

      I hope this will help, otherwise please do not hesitate to contact me anytime.

      1. Amazing thank you

  29. I need to include start date as well end date so what to do. I just did A2-B2+1. any other formula

    1. Hi,
      I’m sorry but your task is not entirely clear to me. Could you please describe it in more detail? What result do you want to get? Give an example of the source data and the expected result.

  30. Hello,

    I have a document that has a date in text form listed like Nov/19. When I use the date value formula, the formula converts it to Nov/20. Is there a formula I can use that will convert the text to the correct date?

    1. Hello!
      Unfortunately, I was unable to repeat your mistake. Please state exactly how your date is written. What formula are you using? What is the default date format?

  31. Hi Team,

    I was wondering if you could help with task have in hand. So i have a team monthly rota. The dates usually start for example 16th Nov - 13th Dec and another 14th Dec - 10 Dec and so on. In the rota column the dates are format horizontally as below:
    16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
    Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon. and so on.

    Task: Am trying to populate data from the rota and another worksheet dynamically, have actually complete the task. But, need to select each month of the from a drop down menu and the data for that month will be populate along with the already VLOOPUP formulars.

    Problem: How do i convert does weekly dates to 1 months and create a drop down menu as per the rota 16th Nov - 13th Dec and 14th Dec - 10 Dec list.

    So i understand in formula is: =IF(above weekly date = 16th Nov - 13th Dec from dropdowm list, VLOOPUP(A1, ARRAY, COLUMN, FALSE), "","")

    I can as well have a separate sheet where i can store the weekly date in month and create a validation list from there.

    I hope this make sence, if not i can send you my screenshot data and you can have a look.

    Looking forward to your swift response.

    Thanks

  32. Hi Team,

    I have a date in one column A and the severity Level in Column B and i am trying to get the future due date in the column C. If the severity Level is Critical in column C then the future date should be after 30 days from the date mentioned in Column A.

    Can anyone help me with this formula.

    1. Hello!
      Sorry, I do not fully understand the task. What does "severity Level"? Please describe your problem in more detail. Include an example of the source data and the result you want to get. It’ll help me understand your request better and find a solution for you.

      1. Hi Team,

        I am Cyber security Analyst and i am planning to automate teh report which in MS excel.
        In one column there will be CVE ID and in next column it's severity level (critical, High, Medium and low) and CVE released date, based on these 3 things i have to update the future date when the Bug or patch has to fixed in our environment.
        If the severity Level is Critical then the future date should be after 30 days from the date of CVE release.

        1. Hello!
          If I understand your task correctly, the following formula should work for you:

          =IF(B2="critical",C2+30,"")

          I hope it’ll be helpful.

  33. Hi Expert,

    How do I make the cell auto change for Due date (a fixed date) when the date is change (Actual Start Date - Plan Start Date(a fix date)). Can someone help please ?
    Example:
    Plan Start Date: 01/11/2020 (fixed)
    Actual Start Date: 05/11/2020
    Difference: 5 days
    Due date : 30/10/2020 (fixed) + 5 days - this cell will auto change to 05/11/2020

    So basically whenever have changes to Actual Start Date, Due date cell will change automatically based on the difference days count.
    What's the formula to use in this situation ?i Thanks !

    1. Hello!
      If I understand your task correctly, the following formula should work for you:

      =C1+(B1-A1)

      A1 -start date
      B1 - actual start date
      C1 - due date

      1. Hi Alexander,

        Thanks for the reply, appreciate it. But that is not that what i want.

        Plan Date Actual Start Date
        01-Nov (A1) 05-Nov (B1)

        Due date
        30-Oct (B4)
        03-Nov (B5)

        My task is to make B4 and B5 to change automatically based on the difference between B1-A1. So my question is, what formula to put in cell B4 and B5 (already has a date in the cell) to make it both auto change based on the day difference. Hope it more clearer for you.

        Appreciate much your helps !

        1. Hello!
          On our forum, we have already written many times that if there is some value in a cell, then the formula cannot be written into it. Your task can be solved using the VBA macro. It is impossible to solve it using an Excel formula.

  34. Dear Sir,
    Please guide me how to change next date into last date in excel

    thanks & regard

  35. I'm trying to populate todays date when a cell is not blank. Here is what I have for a formula:
    =IF(ISBLANK([@[Shipping Release]]),"",TODAY())
    I dont want the entire column to change to todays date but instead populate the day that information was input and not automatically update. Any ideas?

  36. Hi,
    Am still using excel 2007. So Daily making invoices by date by date. Suddenly when I open the old invoice for checks it’s showing as TODAYs date(current) .. so I need to solve that when opening old document. is there anyone can help me plz

  37. Hi,
    Is there any formula to return previous day if the time is between 00:00 ~ 05:00 hrs

    1. Hello!
      If I understand your task correctly, the following formula should work for you:

      =IF(AND(HOUR(B1)>0,HOUR(B1)<5),B1-1,B1)

  38. I can't seem to figure out which combination of formulas i need to create the following result. One column has the date of last purchase of an item and the cell next to it would have a formula that would take that date and add a quantity of days to get the date in the future, and be able to change when the date of last purchase changes. So as a specific example last purchase date is 6/19/2020 the cell next to it then would populate the date 90 days in the future which would be 9/17/2020. Then on 9/17/2020, the cell would update with the date 90 days from that once i enter it in the 'last purchase' cell. Thanks for the help!

  39. Hello Alex,
    What if instead of invoice date, it should start from the end of transaction week? Every Friday is the starting date but the invoice date is any date like April 1 Wednesday and 13, 2020 Monday. Thanks

    1. Hello Myra!
      It is a pity that you did not immediately indicate all the conditions. It would take significantly less time.
      Please try the following formula

      =A3+(5 > WEEKDAY(A3,2))*(5-WEEKDAY(A3,2))+(5 < WEEKDAY(A3,2))*(12-WEEKDAY(A3,2))+57

      A3 is the invoice date.

      1. Hello Alex,
        Sorry for the late reply. Wow, that's a long formula. Will try to understand this. Thank you for helping me. Stay safe always. :)

  40. Hello,
    How do I calculate the collection date when 57 days credit term starts from the end of each transaction week?
    Invoice date is April 1, 2020

    1. Hello Myra!
      I’m sorry but your task is not entirely clear to me.
      For me to be able to help you better, please describe your task in more detail. Please let me know in more detail what you were trying to find, what formula you used and what problem or error occurred. It’ll help me understand it better and find a solution for you. Thank you.

      1. Hello Alex,
        Sorry for the confusion. I'm not familiar with formulas but I can provide you the details. I'm trying to compute the due date of my invoice. Credit term is 57 days. It starts from the end of transaction week. Invoice date is April 1, 2020. Hope you could help me. Thanks.

        1. Hello Myra!
          If I understand your task correctly, the following formula should work for you:

          =B13+(7-WEEKDAY(B1,2))+58

          In this formula, the countdown starts on Monday of next week.
          I hope this will help, otherwise please do not hesitate to contact me anytime.

          1. Hello Alex,
            Thank you for providing me the formula. May I know how did you come up with this? B1 is for the cell for invoice date? Why using B13, (B1, 2), 58? Sorry not familiar with formulas.
            Thank you and stay safe always.

            1. Hello Alex,
              What date should I get if invoice is for April 1, 2020 and April 14?
              Do I need to change the formula for April 14?
              Thanks.

              1. Hello Myra!
                Write this date in B1, and write the formula in any other cell. The formula determines the date of next Monday and adds 57 days

            2. Hello Myra!
              I'm sorry, accidentally wrote an extra digit. Formula -
              = B1 + (7-WEEKDAY (B1,2)) + 58
              B1 is the invoice date.

  41. What is the formula to put two strings together. I need =DATEDIF(A1,A2,"M") but if the A2 is blank calculate by "today" =DATEDIF(A1,"TODAY(),"M")

    1. Hello Bonnie!
      The formula below will do the trick for you:

      =IF(A2="",DATEDIF(A1,TODAY(),"m"), DATEDIF(A1,A2,"m"))

      I hope it’ll be helpful.

      1. hi sir

        if 07-Aug-19 : 26 -Feb-2020 =DATEDIF(07-Aug-19,26 -Feb-2020,"d") =569days and the next month

        7-Sep-20219: 26-Feb-2020 =DATEDIF(07-Sep-19,26-Feb-2020,"d") =538days

        how to formulate the total days in 19months" 07-Aug-19, to 26 -Feb-2020 =5,592

        1. Hi,
          What do you want to calculate exactly? Your question is not entirely clear, please specify.
          My guess is the date should be 26 -Feb-2021.
          Explain which 19 months you are talking about: " total days in 19months” 07-Aug-19, to 26 -Feb-2020 =5,592"? It's 203 days.

  42. Hi,
    How do I calculate the days completed based on the ()Todays (current date) from a start date and an end date, please?
    Example:
    Start Date: 20/04/2020
    End Date: 10/05/2020
    Today's Date: 26/04/2020
    Numbers of days completed:?
    What's the formula to calculate the number of days completed, taking into account the end date?

    1. Hello Emmanuel!
      If I understand your task correctly, please try the following formula:

      =DATEDIF(A1,TODAY(),"d")

      where A1 - Start date.
      You can learn more about DATEDIF in this article on our blog.
      Hope you’ll find this information helpful.

  43. WHAT IS THE FORMULA TO HAVE A DATE CHANGE COLOR (YELLOW) 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE SHOWN AND CHANGE COLOR (RED) AFTER THE DATE SHOWN

  44. Could I use =DATE ( for copying another date?

  45. I'm trying to concatenate 2 dates (arrival and departure) so that the result looks like this: Feb 2 - Feb 5 or, if there's a month boundary: OCT 28 - NOV 20

    I can't get a formula to work using DATE or TEXT, etc. For example:
    =IF(TEXT(D2,"mmm")),TEXT(E2,"mmm"))),CONCAT(CONCAT(TEXT(D2,"mmm","/",TEXT(D2,"dd"))....

    There are no helpful error messages.
    Any ideas?

    Thanks.

  46. Is there a formula or an option that will restrict Now() and Today() function to update automatically? I want them to stay fixed from the day I select "yes" on the cell.

    This are my current function commands:
    =IF(I4="","",IF(I4="yes",TODAY(),"Check SP"))
    =IF(I5="","",IF(I5="yes",NOW(),"Check SP"))

  47. I want list of formulas to change the date range 01/01/2020 - 01/31/2020 with formula.

    If in between I 'm changing the date then it should continue from the date i changed.

    Thanks,
    Mustakeem Qureshi

  48. Hi all,
    I need formula that will count only number of days that have passed - 1 day, for each month.
    =DATEDIF(A2, TODAY(), "d") this formula counts number of days that have passed since specific date, I need end that also.

    Which means the final number for January should be 31, for February 28(29), for March 31.

    Thank you

  49. Hi,

    How do I add a leap year into an excel formula. I have one set for the Julian calendar which works off a number per day of the year for each of the 365 days. However, I cannot get it to figure out leap years. The formula I am using at the minute is: =IF(C2="","",DATE(YEAR(TODAY()),1,C5)). C2 is where we put the code and C5 is the date.

    Thanks

    1. Hi Matthew,
      The same formula you sent will work in leap year too. It will simply consider February 29th as the 60th day of the year.

      If however, you need to check if the year is leap or not, here is the formula for you:
      =IF(MOD(YEAR(A1), 4), "normal year", "leap year")

      Where A1 is the cell with a date.

  50. I am trying to find the baseline percentage of training hours that an employe should be at on the current day. So if an employee has 3000 minutes worth of training to do I would like to have a cell that tells me the percentage that the should have completed on that day.

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