When working with dates in Google Sheets, it’s often necessary to extract specific information from them. One common task is to get the weekday from a given date. This can be useful in a variety of situations, such as creating calendars, tracking schedules, or analyzing data. In this article, we’ll explore how to get the weekday from a date in Google Sheets.
Why is it Important to Get the Weekday from a Date?
The importance of getting the weekday from a date cannot be overstated. In many industries, such as finance, logistics, and healthcare, understanding the day of the week is crucial for making informed decisions. For example, in finance, knowing the day of the week can help you understand market trends and make more accurate predictions. In logistics, it can help you plan delivery schedules and optimize routes. In healthcare, it can help you track patient schedules and appointments.
Additionally, getting the weekday from a date can also be useful in personal projects, such as creating a calendar or tracking a schedule. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a stay-at-home parent, understanding the day of the week can help you stay organized and focused.
Methods for Getting the Weekday from a Date in Google Sheets
There are several methods for getting the weekday from a date in Google Sheets. In this section, we’ll explore some of the most common methods.
Method 1: Using the WEEKDAY Function
The WEEKDAY function is a built-in function in Google Sheets that returns the day of the week for a given date. The syntax for the WEEKDAY function is as follows:
| Function | Syntax |
|---|---|
| WEEKDAY | WEEKDAY(date) |
To use the WEEKDAY function, simply enter the date you want to get the weekday for, and the function will return the day of the week as a number (1-7, where 1 is Sunday and 7 is Saturday).
For example, if you enter the date “2022-01-01” into the WEEKDAY function, it will return the number 7, which corresponds to Saturday. (See Also: How to Make Google Sheets Continue Numbering? Seamlessly)
Method 2: Using the TEXT Function
The TEXT function is another built-in function in Google Sheets that can be used to get the weekday from a date. The syntax for the TEXT function is as follows:
| Function | Syntax |
|---|---|
| TEXT | TEXT(date, “dddd”) |
To use the TEXT function, simply enter the date you want to get the weekday for, and the format string “dddd”, which corresponds to the full weekday name (e.g. “Monday”, “Tuesday”, etc.). The function will return the full weekday name as a string.
For example, if you enter the date “2022-01-01” into the TEXT function with the format string “dddd”, it will return the string “Saturday”.
Method 3: Using the DATE Function
The DATE function is a built-in function in Google Sheets that can be used to get the weekday from a date. The syntax for the DATE function is as follows:
| Function | Syntax |
|---|---|
| DATE | DATE(year, month, day) |
To use the DATE function, simply enter the year, month, and day you want to get the weekday for, and the function will return the date as a string. You can then use the WEEKDAY function to get the weekday from the date. (See Also: How to Remove Table Format in Google Sheets? Easy Steps)
For example, if you enter the date “2022-01-01” into the DATE function, it will return the string “2022-01-01”. You can then use the WEEKDAY function to get the weekday from the date, which would return the number 7, corresponding to Saturday.
Best Practices for Getting the Weekday from a Date in Google Sheets
When getting the weekday from a date in Google Sheets, there are several best practices to keep in mind:
- Make sure to use the correct date format. Google Sheets uses the ISO 8601 date format, which is YYYY-MM-DD.
- Use the WEEKDAY function or the TEXT function to get the weekday from a date. These functions are more efficient and accurate than using the DATE function.
- Use the correct format string when using the TEXT function. The format string “dddd” corresponds to the full weekday name, while the format string “ddd” corresponds to the abbreviated weekday name.
- Test your formulas and functions to ensure they are working correctly. This can help you catch any errors or formatting issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting the weekday from a date in Google Sheets is a common task that can be accomplished using several methods. The WEEKDAY function, TEXT function, and DATE function are all built-in functions in Google Sheets that can be used to get the weekday from a date. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can ensure that your formulas and functions are working correctly and accurately returning the weekday from a date.
Recap
In this article, we covered the following topics:
- The importance of getting the weekday from a date
- The methods for getting the weekday from a date in Google Sheets, including the WEEKDAY function, TEXT function, and DATE function
- The best practices for getting the weekday from a date in Google Sheets, including using the correct date format, using the correct function, and testing formulas and functions
FAQs
Q: What is the WEEKDAY function in Google Sheets?
A: The WEEKDAY function is a built-in function in Google Sheets that returns the day of the week for a given date. The syntax for the WEEKDAY function is WEEKDAY(date), where date is the date you want to get the weekday for.
Q: How do I use the TEXT function to get the weekday from a date in Google Sheets?
A: To use the TEXT function to get the weekday from a date in Google Sheets, enter the date you want to get the weekday for, followed by the format string “dddd”, which corresponds to the full weekday name (e.g. “Monday”, “Tuesday”, etc.). The function will return the full weekday name as a string.
Q: Can I use the DATE function to get the weekday from a date in Google Sheets?
A: Yes, you can use the DATE function to get the weekday from a date in Google Sheets. However, it is generally more efficient and accurate to use the WEEKDAY function or the TEXT function, as they are specifically designed for this purpose.
Q: How do I test my formulas and functions to ensure they are working correctly?
A: To test your formulas and functions, enter the date you want to get the weekday for, and then use the WEEKDAY function or the TEXT function to get the weekday. You can then compare the result to the expected result to ensure that it is accurate.