Calculate the difference between two dates

Microsoft Office Excel 2003

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Use the subtraction (-) operator or the NETWORKDAYS function to do this task.

If this function is not available, install and load the Analysis ToolPak add-in.

ShowHow?

  1. On the Tools menu, click Add-Ins.
  2. In the Add-Ins available list, select the Analysis ToolPak box, and then click OK.
  3. If necessary, follow the instructions in the setup program.

Worksheet example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

ShowHow?

  1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
  2. Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

    Selecting an example from Help

    Selecting an example from Help

  3. Press CTRL+C.
  4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
  5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.
 
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A
Date
6/8/2007
6/20/2007
Formula Description
=A3-A2 Days between the two dates (12)
=NETWORKDAYS(A2,A3) Weekdays between the two dates (9)

Note   To view the dates as numbers, select the cell and click Cells on the Format menu. Click the Number tab, and then click Number in the Category box.

Function details

NETWORKDAYS

ShowCalculate the number of months between two dates

Use the MONTH and YEAR functions to do this task.

Worksheet example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

ShowHow?

  1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
  2. Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

    Selecting an example from Help

    Selecting an example from Help

  3. Press CTRL+C.
  4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
  5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.
 
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A
Date
6/9/2007
9/2/2007
12/10/2008
Formula Description (Result)
=MONTH(A3)-MONTH(A2) Months occurring between two dates in the same year (3)
=(YEAR(A4)-YEAR(A3))*12+MONTH(A4)-MONTH(A3) Months occurring between two dates over a year apart (15)

Note   To view the dates as numbers, select the cell and click Cells on the Format menu. Click the Number tab, and then click Number in the Category box.

Function details

MONTH

YEAR

ShowCalculate the number of years between two dates

Use the YEAR function to do this task.

Worksheet example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

ShowHow?

  1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
  2. Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

    Selecting an example from Help

    Selecting an example from Help

  3. Press CTRL+C.
  4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
  5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.
 
1
2
3
A
Date
6/9/2007
6/4/2010
Formula Description (Result)
=YEAR(A3)-YEAR(A2) Years occurring between two dates (3)

Notes

  • To view the dates as numbers, select the cell and click Cells on the Format menu. Click the Number tab, and then click Number in the Category box.
  • You cannot subtract a date that is later than another date, or the error #### appears in the cell.

Function details

YEAR

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