When it comes to working with dates in Google Sheets, one of the most common tasks is to extract the day of the week from a given date. Whether you’re creating a schedule, tracking events, or analyzing data, being able to get the day of the week from a date is an essential skill. In this article, we’ll explore the various ways to get the day of the week from a date in Google Sheets, including formulas, functions, and add-ons.
Using Formulas to Get the Day of the Week
One of the most straightforward ways to get the day of the week from a date in Google Sheets is by using a formula. The formula we’ll use is the TEXT function, which converts a date to a text string. Specifically, we’ll use the TEXT function with the “ddd” format code, which returns the abbreviated day of the week (e.g. “Mon”, “Tue”, etc.).
To use this formula, follow these steps:
- Enter the date you want to get the day of the week from in a cell.
- Select the cell containing the date.
- Go to the formula bar and type “=TEXT(A1,””ddd””)”, where A1 is the cell containing the date.
- Press Enter to apply the formula.
The formula will return the abbreviated day of the week, such as “Mon” for Monday or “Wed” for Wednesday.
Using the WEEKDAY Function
Another way to get the day of the week from a date in Google Sheets is by using the WEEKDAY function. This function returns a number between 1 and 7, where 1 represents Sunday and 7 represents Saturday. To use this function, follow these steps:
- Enter the date you want to get the day of the week from in a cell.
- Select the cell containing the date.
- Go to the formula bar and type “=WEEKDAY(A1)”, where A1 is the cell containing the date.
- Press Enter to apply the formula.
The formula will return a number between 1 and 7, which can then be used to determine the day of the week. For example, if the formula returns 2, the day of the week is Monday. (See Also: How to Square Numbers in Google Sheets? Easy Steps)
Using Functions to Get the Day of the Week
In addition to formulas, Google Sheets also has a range of functions that can be used to get the day of the week from a date. One of the most useful functions is the DAYOFWEEK function, which returns the day of the week as a text string (e.g. “Monday”, “Tuesday”, etc.).
To use this function, follow these steps:
- Enter the date you want to get the day of the week from in a cell.
- Select the cell containing the date.
- Go to the formula bar and type “=DAYOFWEEK(A1)”, where A1 is the cell containing the date.
- Press Enter to apply the formula.
The formula will return the day of the week as a text string, such as “Monday” or “Wednesday”.
Using Add-ons to Get the Day of the Week
Another way to get the day of the week from a date in Google Sheets is by using add-ons. One popular add-on for getting the day of the week is the “Date and Time” add-on, which provides a range of date and time-related functions. To use this add-on, follow these steps:
- Go to the Google Sheets add-on store and search for “Date and Time”.
- Install the add-on by clicking the “Install” button.
- Once installed, go to the “Tools” menu and select “Add-ons” > “Date and Time”.
- Enter the date you want to get the day of the week from in the “Date” field.
- Click the “Get Day of the Week” button to retrieve the day of the week.
The add-on will return the day of the week as a text string, such as “Monday” or “Wednesday”. (See Also: How to Scroll in Google Sheets? Master Navigation)
Recap and Conclusion
In this article, we’ve explored the various ways to get the day of the week from a date in Google Sheets, including formulas, functions, and add-ons. Whether you’re using the TEXT function, the WEEKDAY function, or an add-on, getting the day of the week from a date is a simple and straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to extract the day of the week from a date in no time.
FAQs
Q: Can I use the DAYOFWEEK function with a range of dates?
A: Yes, you can use the DAYOFWEEK function with a range of dates. Simply enter the range of dates in the formula, separated by a colon. For example, “=DAYOFWEEK(A1:A10)” will return the day of the week for each date in the range A1:A10.
Q: Can I use the WEEKDAY function with a date in a different format?
A: Yes, you can use the WEEKDAY function with a date in a different format. The function will automatically detect the date format and return the correct day of the week. For example, if you enter the date “2022-07-25” in a cell, the WEEKDAY function will return the correct day of the week.
Q: Can I use the TEXT function with a date in a different format?
A: Yes, you can use the TEXT function with a date in a different format. The function will automatically detect the date format and return the correct text string. For example, if you enter the date “2022-07-25” in a cell, the TEXT function will return the correct text string.
Q: Can I use the DAYOFWEEK function with a date in a different language?
A: Yes, you can use the DAYOFWEEK function with a date in a different language. The function will automatically detect the language and return the correct day of the week. For example, if you enter the date “2022-07-25” in a cell with a language setting of French, the DAYOFWEEK function will return the correct day of the week in French.
Q: Can I use the WEEKDAY function with a date in a different time zone?
A: Yes, you can use the WEEKDAY function with a date in a different time zone. The function will automatically detect the time zone and return the correct day of the week. For example, if you enter the date “2022-07-25” in a cell with a time zone setting of Pacific Standard Time, the WEEKDAY function will return the correct day of the week.