3 Ways to Convert Date to Number in Excel
Handling and manipulating dates in spreadsheets is a task often encountered, especially when doing any time-sensitive data analysis or tracking. Excel provides a variety of tools for converting dates into numbers, a process that can be essential for computations, sorting, and various reporting needs. In this blog post, we'll delve into three effective methods for converting date to number in Excel, ensuring you can perform your time-related calculations with ease and precision.
Method 1: Using Excel’s Built-in DATEVALUE Function
The DATEVALUE function is Excel's straightforward approach to convert a date in text format into a serial number, which Excel uses to represent dates.
Steps to Use DATEVALUE Function:
- Enter your date in any cell, say A1, in a recognizable format like “MM/DD/YYYY” or “DD/MM/YYYY”.
- In another cell, enter the formula:
=DATEVALUE(A1)
- Press Enter. Excel will display the serial number representing that date.
💡 Note: Ensure the date format in the cell matches Excel's default date format. Otherwise, the function might return an error.
Method 2: Formatting Dates to Numbers
Excel has an intuitive feature to show dates as numbers without changing the underlying date value.
Steps to Format Dates to Numbers:
- Select the cells containing dates.
- Right-click and choose ‘Format Cells’ from the context menu.
- In the ‘Number’ tab, go to ‘Category’ and select ‘Number’.
- Choose the number of decimal places you need, then click ‘OK’.
Date Format | Number Format (0 decimals) |
---|---|
12/31/2023 | 45297 |
01/01/2023 | 45298 |
Method 3: Using DAY, MONTH, and YEAR Functions
Dissecting a date into day, month, and year can provide more control over how date information is converted to numbers.
Steps to Convert Using DAY, MONTH, and YEAR Functions:
- Assume your date is in cell A1.
- Use these formulas to extract components:
- DAY(A1) for the day number,
- MONTH(A1) for the month number, and
- YEAR(A1) for the year.
- You can combine these results or use them separately depending on your analysis needs.
In the realm of Excel, mastering how to convert dates to numbers isn't just about understanding the formula syntax, but also about appreciating the nuances of date handling in spreadsheets. Whether you're dealing with project timelines, financial statements, or any time-based data, these methods provide you with the tools needed to manipulate dates effectively. We've covered three key approaches:
- The straightforward use of the DATEVALUE function to convert text dates to serial numbers.
- Formatting cells to display dates as numbers, which keeps the underlying date intact.
- Breaking down dates into individual components with DAY, MONTH, and YEAR functions for more granular control.
Each method has its use cases, depending on what you want to achieve. Whether you're calculating date differences, sorting data by date, or just need to display dates in a numerical format, knowing these methods opens up numerous possibilities for enhancing your Excel skills.
Why do dates in Excel look like numbers?
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Excel stores dates as serial numbers internally to facilitate date arithmetic. Each day since January 1, 1900, is represented by a sequential number, making calculations simpler.
What if my date function returns a ‘#VALUE!’ error?
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Ensure your date is in a format recognized by Excel. Common causes are date formats that aren’t standard or invalid date entries. Adjust the cell’s format or correct the date string.
Can I use these methods for date conversion in Google Sheets?
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Yes, Google Sheets has similar functions like DATEVALUE and supports cell formatting, though the exact behavior might differ slightly. You can use these techniques with minor adjustments.
How can I revert my date from a number back to a formatted date in Excel?
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Select the cell or range with your date as numbers. Right-click, choose ‘Format Cells’, then under ‘Category’, select ‘Date’ and choose your preferred date format.