How to Use the DATEDIF Function in Excel
Introduction
Welcome to an in-depth guide on the DATEDIF function, a hidden yet incredibly useful feature in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. The DATEDIF function allows you to calculate the difference between two dates in days, months, or years. Although it doesn’t appear in Excel’s function library, it remains fully operational.
Basic Syntax
The syntax for the DATEDIF function is as follows:
DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, "unit")start_date: The starting date of the period.end_date: The ending date of the period.unit: A text parameter that defines the type of interval to return:- “d” or “D”: The total number of days between the two dates.
- “m” or “M”: The total number of months between the two dates.
- “y” or “Y”: The total number of years between the two dates.
Examples of Calculations
Let’s explore several practical examples to showcase the utility of the DATEDIF function:
Example 1: Calculate the Number of Days Between Two Dates
Consider the start date is in cell A1 (01-Jan-2022) and the end date is in cell B1 (05-Jan-2022). To calculate the number of days between these dates, use the formula:
=DATEDIF(A1, B1, "d")| Start Date | End Date | Result (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| 01-Jan-2022 | 05-Jan-2022 | 4 |
Example 2: Calculate the Number of Months Between Two Dates
To estimate the number of months between two dates, use the formula:
=DATEDIF(A1, B1, "m")| Start Date | End Date | Result (Months) |
|---|---|---|
| 01-Jan-2022 | 01-Mar-2022 | 2 |
Example 3: Calculate the Number of Years Between Two Dates
For determining the number of years between two specific dates, apply:
=DATEDIF(A1, B1, "y")| Start Date | End Date | Result (Years) |
|---|---|---|
| 01-Jan-2020 | 01-Jan-2022 | 2 |
Conclusion
The DATEDIF function is a robust tool for computing differences in dates, whether in days, months, or years, across Excel and Google Sheets. While it is important to note that DATEDIF is not listed in the official documentation and may not be supported in future updates, it currently serves as an effective solution for date-related calculations.
More information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/datedif-function-25dba1a4-2812-480b-84dd-8b32a451b35c