DATE Function in Excel: Syntax and Examples

This article provides a clear overview of DATE Function in Excel, with the main facts, useful context, and practical details organized for easy reading.

this guide describes the syntax and usage of the DATE () function in Excel.

Description

The DATE () function returns a date that is formatted corresponding to the date entered as based on the date index.

Syntax

= DATE (year, month, day)

Arguments

- year: is the year index number, it can include from 1 to 4 digits (0 ~ 9999), depending on the date system that the computer is using. In Windows operating systems, by default Microsoft Excel uses the 1900 date system.

+ If year is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 1899 then Excel will automatically add 1900 to calculate.

+ If year is from 1900 to 9999, Excel will use that number as the year to calculate.

+ If year is less than 0 or greater than or equal to 10000, Excel will report the #NUM! Error.

- month: is the number representing the month of the year from January to December, it can be negative or positive integers.

+ If month is greater than 12 then Excel will convert to 12 equals a year and increase the number of years.

+ If month is less than 1, then Excel will convert -12 by 1 year and reduce the number of years.

- day: is the number representing the day from 1 to 31 can be a positive integer or a negative integer.

+ If day is greater than the number of days of the month, Excel will convert it to the largest number of days of the month accordingly and increase the number of months, if the number of months is greater than 12 months, the number of years is also increased.

All arguments are required, the arguments can be specific numbers or they may be formulas.

For Example

With short syntax and simple usage, you will easily remember and use the DATE () function in Excel. In addition, you need to remember that when entering the function, the arguments must be entered in the same order as year, month and day (year, month, day). Good luck!