When working with dates and timestamps in Google Sheets, it’s not uncommon to encounter datetime values that include both date and time information. While this can be useful in certain situations, there are times when you only need to extract the date portion of the datetime value. This can be particularly important when performing date-based calculations, creating charts, or generating reports that require a specific date format. In this tutorial, we’ll explore the various methods for extracting the date from a datetime value in Google Sheets.
Overview
In this guide, we’ll cover three different approaches to extracting the date from a datetime value in Google Sheets. We’ll start with the simplest method using the DATE function, followed by the INT function, and finally, the TEXT function. Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, and we’ll discuss the scenarios in which each is most suitable.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be able to:
- Extract the date from a datetime value using the
DATEfunction - Use the
INTfunction to truncate the time portion of a datetime value - Employ the
TEXTfunction to format a datetime value as a date - Choose the most appropriate method for your specific use case
Let’s dive in and explore the different methods for extracting the date from a datetime value in Google Sheets!
How to Extract Date from Datetime in Google Sheets
When working with datetime values in Google Sheets, you may need to extract the date part from the datetime value. This can be useful for various purposes, such as formatting dates, creating date-based filters, or performing date-related calculations. In this article, we will explore the different methods to extract date from datetime in Google Sheets.
Method 1: Using the DATE Function
The DATE function is a built-in function in Google Sheets that extracts the date part from a datetime value. The syntax for the DATE function is:
| DATE(year, month, day) |
To extract the date from a datetime value, you can use the following formula:
=DATE(YEAR(A1), MONTH(A1), DAY(A1))
Assuming the datetime value is in cell A1, this formula will extract the year, month, and day from the datetime value and return the date part.
Method 2: Using the INT Function
The INT function is another way to extract the date part from a datetime value. The syntax for the INT function is: (See Also: How To Make An Excel Spreadsheet Into A Google Sheet)
| INT(number) |
To extract the date from a datetime value, you can use the following formula:
=INT(A1)
This formula will truncate the datetime value to the nearest integer, which will remove the time part and leave only the date part.
Method 3: Using the FORMAT Function
The FORMAT function is a powerful function in Google Sheets that allows you to format a value according to a specified format. The syntax for the FORMAT function is:
| FORMAT(value, format) |
To extract the date from a datetime value, you can use the following formula:
=FORMAT(A1, “yyyy-mm-dd”)
This formula will format the datetime value in cell A1 according to the specified format, which will extract the date part.
Method 4: Using the TEXT Function
The TEXT function is similar to the FORMAT function, but it is more flexible and allows you to specify a custom format. The syntax for the TEXT function is: (See Also: How To Change X And Y Axis On Google Sheets)
| TEXT(value, format) |
To extract the date from a datetime value, you can use the following formula:
=TEXT(A1, “yyyy-mm-dd”)
This formula will format the datetime value in cell A1 according to the specified format, which will extract the date part.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored four different methods to extract date from datetime in Google Sheets. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method depends on the specific requirements of your use case.
Remember to choose the method that best suits your needs, and always test the formula with sample data to ensure it produces the desired results.
By following the methods outlined in this article, you should be able to extract the date part from datetime values in Google Sheets with ease.
Recap
In summary, the four methods to extract date from datetime in Google Sheets are:
- Using the DATE function
- Using the INT function
- Using the FORMAT function
- Using the TEXT function
Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of method depends on the specific requirements of your use case.
We hope this article has been helpful in guiding you on how to extract date from datetime in Google Sheets. If you have any further questions or need more assistance, feel free to ask!
Frequently Asked Questions: Extracting Date from Datetime in Google Sheets
How do I extract the date from a datetime value in Google Sheets?
You can use the DATE function in Google Sheets to extract the date from a datetime value. The syntax for the DATE function is DATE(year, month, day). For example, if you have a datetime value in cell A1, you can use the formula =DATE(YEAR(A1), MONTH(A1), DAY(A1)) to extract the date.
Can I use a formula to extract the date from a datetime value in a specific format?
Yes, you can use the TEXT function in combination with the DATE function to extract the date in a specific format. For example, if you want to extract the date in the format “mm/dd/yyyy”, you can use the formula =TEXT(DATE(YEAR(A1), MONTH(A1), DAY(A1)), “mm/dd/yyyy”).
How do I extract the date from a datetime value in an entire column?
You can use an array formula to extract the date from a datetime value in an entire column. For example, if you want to extract the date from the datetime values in column A, you can use the formula =ArrayFormula(DATE(YEAR(A:A), MONTH(A:A), DAY(A:A))). This formula will apply to the entire column A.
What if I want to extract the date from a datetime value in a specific timezone?
You can use the DATE function in combination with the TIMEZONE function to extract the date from a datetime value in a specific timezone. For example, if you want to extract the date from a datetime value in the “America/New_York” timezone, you can use the formula =DATE(YEAR(TIMEZONE(A1, “America/New_York”)), MONTH(TIMEZONE(A1, “America/New_York”)), DAY(TIMEZONE(A1, “America/New_York”))).
Can I use a formula to extract the date from a datetime value and format it as a string?
Yes, you can use the TO_TEXT function to extract the date from a datetime value and format it as a string. For example, if you want to extract the date from a datetime value in cell A1 and format it as a string in the format “yyyy-mm-dd”, you can use the formula =TO_TEXT(DATE(YEAR(A1), MONTH(A1), DAY(A1)), “yyyy-mm-dd”).