When it comes to working with dates in Google Sheets, there are many functions and formulas that can help you extract and manipulate the information you need. One common task is to extract the year from a date, which can be useful for a variety of purposes such as data analysis, reporting, and more. In this article, we will explore how to get the year from a date in Google Sheets, including the different methods and formulas you can use.
Why Extract the Year from a Date?
Extracting the year from a date can be a useful task in many different contexts. For example, you may want to analyze sales data by year, or extract the year from a date to use in a report or dashboard. In Google Sheets, you can use a variety of formulas and functions to extract the year from a date, including the YEAR function, the DATE function, and more.
The YEAR Function
The YEAR function is a simple and easy-to-use formula that can be used to extract the year from a date. The syntax for the YEAR function is as follows:
| Function | Syntax |
|---|---|
| YEAR | YEAR(date) |
To use the YEAR function, simply enter the date you want to extract the year from, and the function will return the year as a number. For example, if you enter the date “1/1/2022” into the YEAR function, it will return the year “2022”.
Examples of Using the YEAR Function
Here are a few examples of how you can use the YEAR function in Google Sheets:
- To extract the year from a date, enter the date into the YEAR function. For example, =YEAR(A1) would return the year from the date in cell A1.
- To extract the year from a date and format it as a string, you can use the TEXT function. For example, =TEXT(A1, “yyyy”) would return the year from the date in cell A1 as a string in the format “yyyy”.
- To extract the year from a date and use it in a calculation, you can use the YEAR function in combination with other formulas. For example, =SUM(A1:A10)*YEAR(A1) would return the sum of the values in cells A1:A10 multiplied by the year from the date in cell A1.
The DATE Function
The DATE function is another way to extract the year from a date in Google Sheets. The syntax for the DATE function is as follows:
| Function | Syntax |
|---|---|
| DATE | DATE(year, month, day) |
To use the DATE function, you need to specify the year, month, and day you want to extract the year from. The function will return the date as a number. For example, if you enter the date “2022-01-01” into the DATE function, it will return the date “2022-01-01” as a number. (See Also: How to Print Google Sheets Horizontally? A Simple Guide)
Examples of Using the DATE Function
Here are a few examples of how you can use the DATE function in Google Sheets:
- To extract the year from a date, enter the date into the DATE function. For example, =DATE(2022, 1, 1) would return the date “2022-01-01” as a number.
- To extract the year from a date and format it as a string, you can use the TEXT function. For example, =TEXT(DATE(2022, 1, 1), “yyyy”) would return the year “2022” as a string.
- To extract the year from a date and use it in a calculation, you can use the DATE function in combination with other formulas. For example, =SUM(A1:A10)*DATE(2022, 1, 1) would return the sum of the values in cells A1:A10 multiplied by the year from the date “2022-01-01”.
Other Methods for Extracting the Year from a Date
In addition to the YEAR and DATE functions, there are other ways to extract the year from a date in Google Sheets. Here are a few examples:
Using the TEXT Function
You can use the TEXT function to extract the year from a date by formatting the date as a string. The syntax for the TEXT function is as follows:
| Function | Syntax |
|---|---|
| TEXT | TEXT(date, format) |
To use the TEXT function, enter the date you want to extract the year from, followed by the format you want to use. For example, =TEXT(A1, “yyyy”) would return the year from the date in cell A1 as a string in the format “yyyy”.
Using the LEFT and RIGHT Functions
You can also use the LEFT and RIGHT functions to extract the year from a date. The syntax for the LEFT and RIGHT functions is as follows:
| Function | Syntax |
|---|---|
| LEFT | LEFT(text, num_chars) |
| RIGHT | RIGHT(text, num_chars) |
To use the LEFT and RIGHT functions, enter the date you want to extract the year from, followed by the number of characters you want to extract. For example, =LEFT(A1, 4) would return the first 4 characters of the date in cell A1, which would be the year. Similarly, =RIGHT(A1, 4) would return the last 4 characters of the date in cell A1, which would also be the year. (See Also: How to Freeze Certain Cells in Google Sheets? Mastering Data Organization)
Using Regular Expressions
You can also use regular expressions to extract the year from a date in Google Sheets. The syntax for regular expressions is as follows:
| Function | Syntax |
|---|---|
| REGEXEXTRACT | REGEXEXTRACT(text, pattern) |
To use regular expressions, enter the date you want to extract the year from, followed by the pattern you want to use. For example, =REGEXEXTRACT(A1, “\d{4}”) would return the year from the date in cell A1 as a string. The “\d{4}” pattern matches exactly 4 digits, which would be the year.
Conclusion
Extracting the year from a date in Google Sheets is a simple task that can be accomplished using a variety of formulas and functions. In this article, we have explored the YEAR function, the DATE function, and other methods for extracting the year from a date, including using the TEXT function, the LEFT and RIGHT functions, and regular expressions. By using these formulas and functions, you can easily extract the year from a date and use it in your Google Sheets calculations and reports.
Recap
In this article, we have covered the following topics:
- The YEAR function and how to use it to extract the year from a date.
- The DATE function and how to use it to extract the year from a date.
- Other methods for extracting the year from a date, including using the TEXT function, the LEFT and RIGHT functions, and regular expressions.
FAQs
How do I extract the year from a date in Google Sheets?
You can extract the year from a date in Google Sheets using the YEAR function, the DATE function, or other methods such as using the TEXT function, the LEFT and RIGHT functions, and regular expressions.
What is the syntax for the YEAR function?
The syntax for the YEAR function is YEAR(date), where date is the date you want to extract the year from.
Can I use the DATE function to extract the year from a date?
No, the DATE function is used to create a date from a year, month, and day, but it cannot be used to extract the year from a date. Instead, you can use the YEAR function or other methods to extract the year from a date.
How do I use regular expressions to extract the year from a date?
You can use regular expressions to extract the year from a date by using the REGEXEXTRACT function and specifying a pattern that matches the year. For example, =REGEXEXTRACT(A1, “\d{4}”) would return the year from the date in cell A1 as a string.
Can I use the LEFT and RIGHT functions to extract the year from a date?
Yes, you can use the LEFT and RIGHT functions to extract the year from a date by specifying the number of characters you want to extract. For example, =LEFT(A1, 4) would return the first 4 characters of the date in cell A1, which would be the year. Similarly, =RIGHT(A1, 4) would return the last 4 characters of the date in cell A1, which would also be the year.