Calculating the difference between two dates is a common task in Excel, especially when working with financial data or project management. Fortunately, Excel offers several ways to calculate the difference between two dates. In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to calculate the difference between two dates in Excel.
Calculate the Difference Between Two Dates in Excel
There are multiple ways to Calculate the Difference Between Two Dates in Excel. In this blog post I will show you the two quickets ways to achieve this using the DATEDIF and YEARFRAC.
Method 1: Using the DATEDIF function
The DATEDIF function is an Excel function that calculates the difference between two dates in years, months, or days. Here’s how to use it:
- Enter the two dates you want to calculate the difference between in separate cells.
- In a third cell, enter the following formula:
=DATEDIF(start_date,end_date,"unit")Replace start_date and end_date with the cell references of the two dates you want to calculate the difference between.
Replace “unit” with the unit you want to calculate the difference in. For example, “y” for years, “m” for months, or “d” for days.
Finally, Press Enter to calculate the difference.
Method 2: Using the YEARFRAC function
The YEARFRAC function is another Excel function that calculates the difference between two dates in years, months, or days. Here’s how to use it:
- Enter the two dates you want to calculate the difference between in separate cells.
- In a third cell, enter the following formula:
=YEARFRAC(start_date,end_date)Replace start_date and end_date with the cell references of the two dates you want to calculate the difference between.
Finally, Press Enter to calculate the difference.
Video Tutorial: Calculate the Difference Between Two Dates
Things to consider
When using the DATEDIF function, be aware that it is not documented in the Excel function library, and some versions of Excel may not support it.
When using the YEARFRAC function, keep in mind that it calculates the difference between two dates in years as a decimal value. For example, a difference of one year and six months would be expressed as 1.5 years.
What’s Next?
Now that you know how to calculate the difference between two dates in Excel, it’s time to explore more of what Excel has to offer. The next logical step would be to learn more about Excel formulas and functions to become more efficient and productive.
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