How to Use the DAYS Function in Excel
Today, we’ll explore the DAYS function, which is available in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
Overview
The DAYS function is used to calculate the number of days between two specific dates. This function is especially useful for determining the duration between events, tracking deadlines, or for any calculations related to dates.
Syntax
The syntax of the DAYS function is straightforward:
DAYS(end_date, start_date)end_date: This parameter represents the final date of the period being measured.start_date: This parameter signifies the initial date of the period.
Example Tasks
Below, we’ll explore practical examples that demonstrate how the DAYS function can be applied:
Calculating Days Between Two Dates
Consider that you have a start date in cell A1 (01/01/2022) and an end date in cell B1 (01/10/2022), and you wish to calculate the number of days between these two dates.
| Start Date | End Date | Days Between |
|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2022 | 01/10/2022 | =DAYS(B1, A1) |
The function will return 9, reflecting that there are 9 days between January 1st and January 10th, 2022.
Handling Negative Values
If the start date is later than the end date, the DAYS function will return a negative value. This functionality is beneficial for indicating elapsed time periods or missed deadlines.
For instance, if the start date is 02/01/2022 and the end date is 01/01/2022, the formula =DAYS(B2, A2) will display -1, signifying that the end date was one day before the start date.
Using the DAYS function allows for straightforward calculations of date differences and helps assess the duration between various events or deadlines effectively. This tool is invaluable for numerous scenarios involving date-related calculations.
More information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/days-function-57740535-d549-4395-8728-0f07bff0b9df