Learn how to easily calculate the number of days between two dates in Excel using different writing patterns.
Excel, dates, number of days, calculation, writing patterns
How to Calculate Number of Days from Dates in Excel with Writing Patterns
Calculating the number of days between two dates is a common task in Excel. You may need to calculate the number of days between two dates to determine project deadlines, track employee absences, or monitor inventory levels. Fortunately, Excel makes it easy to calculate the number of days between two dates using different writing patterns. In this article, we’ll discuss how to calculate the number of days between two dates in Excel and explore different writing patterns that you can use.
Step 1: Enter the two dates
To calculate the number of days between two dates in Excel, you first need to enter the two dates in separate cells. For example, you can enter the start date in cell A1 and the end date in cell B1.
Step 2: Select the cell for the result
Next, select the cell where you want to display the result of the calculation.
Step 3: Use subtraction formula
To calculate the number of days between two dates, use the subtraction formula in Excel. The formula is: =end_date - start_date. For example, if the start date is in cell A1 and the end date is in cell B1, the formula would be =B1-A1.
Step 4: Format the result cell
After entering the formula, format the cell where you want to display the result as a number. This will ensure that the result is displayed as a number of days rather than a date or time.
Step 5: Test the calculation
To test the calculation, enter different dates and check if the result is displayed correctly.
Step 6: Use writing patterns
Excel allows you to use different writing patterns to enter dates. You can use the following patterns:
Step 7: Use standard date format
The standard date format in Excel is dd/mm/yyyy. To enter a date using this format, simply type the date in the cell using this pattern. For example, to enter January 1, 2022, type 01/01/2022.
Step 8: Use alternative date formats
Excel also allows you to use alternative date formats, such as mm/dd/yyyy or yyyy-mm-dd. To enter a date using an alternative format, simply type the date in the cell using this pattern. For example, to enter January 1, 2022, using the mm/dd/yyyy format, type 01/01/2022.
Step 9: Use named ranges
Named ranges in Excel allow you to assign a name to a cell or range of cells. You can use named ranges to make it easier to refer to a date range in a formula. For example, you can create a named range called ‘date_range’ that includes cells A1 through B1, which contain the start and end dates.
Step 10: Use date functions
Excel has several date functions that you can use to perform calculations with dates. For example, you can use the DATEDIF function to calculate the number of days between two dates. The syntax for the DATEDIF function is: =DATEDIF(start_date,end_date,‘unit’). The ‘unit’ argument specifies the unit of measurement you want to use, such as ’d’ for days or ’m’ for months.
Step 11: Use TODAY function
The TODAY function in Excel returns the current date. You can use this function in a formula to calculate the number of days between the current date and another date. For example, if you want to calculate the number of days until a deadline, you can use the formula =deadline_date - TODAY().
Step 12: Use NOW function
The NOW function in Excel returns the current date and time. You can use this function in a formula to calculate the number of days between the current date and another date and time. For example, if you want to calculate the number of days until a meeting that starts at 2:00 PM on January 1, 2022, you can use the formula =DATE(2022,1,1)+TIME(14,0,0)-NOW().
Step 13: Use EOMONTH function
The EOMONTH function in Excel returns the last day of the month for a given date. You can use this function in a formula to calculate the number of days between two dates, where one of the dates is the end of a month. For example, if you want to calculate the number of days between January 1, 2022, and the end of February 2022, you can use the formula =EOMONTH(‘2022/2/1’,0)-‘2022/1/1’+1.
Step 14: Use WORKDAY function
The WORKDAY function in Excel calculates the end date of a project based on the number of working days. You can use this function in a formula to calculate the number of working days between two dates. For example, if you want to calculate the number of working days between January 1, 2022, and January 31, 2022, you can use the formula =WORKDAY(‘2022/1/1’,DAYS(‘2022/1/31’,‘2022/1/1’)).
Step 15: Use NETWORKDAYS function
The NETWORKDAYS function in Excel calculates the number of working days between two dates, excluding weekends and holidays. You can use this function in a formula to calculate the number of working days between two dates, where one or both of the dates fall on a weekend or holiday. For example, if you want to calculate the number of working days between December 24, 2021, and January 3, 2022, excluding weekends and December 31, 2021, you can use the formula =NETWORKDAYS(‘2021/12/24’,‘2022/1/3’,{‘2021/12/31’}).
Step 16: Use conditional formatting
Conditional formatting in Excel allows you to format cells based on certain conditions. You can use conditional formatting to highlight cells that contain dates within a certain range or to highlight cells that contain the smallest or largest dates in a range. This can be useful when working with large data sets that contain many dates.
Step 17: Use pivot tables
Pivot tables in Excel allow you to summarize and analyze large data sets. You can use pivot tables to group dates by month, quarter, or year and to calculate the number of days, weeks, or months between two dates. Pivot tables can be a powerful tool for data analysis and reporting.
Step 18: Use charting
Charts in Excel allow you to visualize data and trends. You can use charts to display the number of days between two dates over time or to compare the number of days between different date ranges. Charts can be a powerful tool for data visualization and communication.
Step 19: Save and share your work
After completing your calculation, be sure to save your work and share it with others if necessary. Excel allows you to save your work in a variety of formats, including Excel workbook, PDF, and CSV.
Step 20: Practice and learn
Finally, the best way to become proficient in calculating the number of days between dates in
