When working with dates in Google Sheets, it’s not uncommon to need to add a certain number of months to a given date. This can be a crucial task in various scenarios, such as calculating the due date of a project, determining the expiration date of a product, or tracking the progress of a sales campaign. In this article, we will explore the different methods to add months to a date in Google Sheets, making it easier for you to perform this task with precision and accuracy.
Method 1: Using the DATE_ADD Function
The DATE_ADD function is a powerful tool in Google Sheets that allows you to add a specified interval to a date. To add months to a date using this function, you can use the following syntax:
| DATE_ADD(date, months) | |
|---|---|
| date: The starting date | months: The number of months to add |
For example, if you want to add 3 months to the date ‘2022-01-01’, you can use the following formula:
DATE_ADD(‘2022-01-01’, 3)
This formula will return the date ‘2022-04-01’, which is 3 months after the original date.
Using the DATE_ADD Function with a Cell Reference
You can also use the DATE_ADD function with a cell reference instead of hardcoding the date. For example, if you have a cell containing the date ‘2022-01-01’ in cell A1, you can use the following formula:
DATE_ADD(A1, 3)
This formula will add 3 months to the date in cell A1 and return the result in the same cell.
Method 2: Using the DATE_SUB Function
The DATE_SUB function is the opposite of the DATE_ADD function. It subtracts a specified interval from a date. To add months to a date using this function, you can use the following syntax:
| DATE_SUB(date, months) | |
|---|---|
| date: The starting date | months: The number of months to subtract |
For example, if you want to add 3 months to the date ‘2022-01-01’, you can use the following formula: (See Also: How to Count Up in Google Sheets? Easily)
DATE_SUB(‘2022-01-01’, -3)
This formula will return the date ‘2022-10-01’, which is 3 months after the original date.
Using the DATE_SUB Function with a Cell Reference
You can also use the DATE_SUB function with a cell reference instead of hardcoding the date. For example, if you have a cell containing the date ‘2022-01-01’ in cell A1, you can use the following formula:
DATE_SUB(A1, -3)
This formula will subtract 3 months from the date in cell A1 and return the result in the same cell.
Method 3: Using the EOMONTH Function
The EOMONTH function returns the last day of the month that is the specified number of months before or after the date. To add months to a date using this function, you can use the following syntax:
| EOMONTH(date, months) | |
|---|---|
| date: The starting date | months: The number of months to add |
For example, if you want to add 3 months to the date ‘2022-01-01’, you can use the following formula:
EOMONTH(‘2022-01-01’, 3)
This formula will return the date ‘2022-04-30’, which is the last day of the month 3 months after the original date.
Using the EOMONTH Function with a Cell Reference
You can also use the EOMONTH function with a cell reference instead of hardcoding the date. For example, if you have a cell containing the date ‘2022-01-01’ in cell A1, you can use the following formula: (See Also: How to Print Google Sheets Bigger? Easy Guide)
EOMONTH(A1, 3)
This formula will add 3 months to the date in cell A1 and return the result in the same cell.
Method 4: Using the ADD_MONTHS Function
The ADD_MONTHS function is a built-in function in Google Sheets that adds a specified number of months to a date. To use this function, you can use the following syntax:
| ADD_MONTHS(date, months) | |
|---|---|
| date: The starting date | months: The number of months to add |
For example, if you want to add 3 months to the date ‘2022-01-01’, you can use the following formula:
ADD_MONTHS(‘2022-01-01’, 3)
This formula will return the date ‘2022-04-01’, which is 3 months after the original date.
Using the ADD_MONTHS Function with a Cell Reference
You can also use the ADD_MONTHS function with a cell reference instead of hardcoding the date. For example, if you have a cell containing the date ‘2022-01-01’ in cell A1, you can use the following formula:
ADD_MONTHS(A1, 3)
This formula will add 3 months to the date in cell A1 and return the result in the same cell.
Recap
In this article, we have explored four different methods to add months to a date in Google Sheets. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method will depend on the specific requirements of your project. Whether you use the DATE_ADD function, the DATE_SUB function, the EOMONTH function, or the ADD_MONTHS function, you can be confident that you will be able to add months to a date with precision and accuracy.
FAQs
What is the difference between the DATE_ADD and DATE_SUB functions?
The DATE_ADD function adds a specified interval to a date, while the DATE_SUB function subtracts a specified interval from a date.
Can I use the DATE_ADD and DATE_SUB functions with a cell reference?
Yes, you can use the DATE_ADD and DATE_SUB functions with a cell reference instead of hardcoding the date.
What is the EOMONTH function used for?
The EOMONTH function returns the last day of the month that is the specified number of months before or after the date.
Can I use the ADD_MONTHS function with a cell reference?
Yes, you can use the ADD_MONTHS function with a cell reference instead of hardcoding the date.
What is the advantage of using the EOMONTH function over the DATE_ADD function?
The EOMONTH function returns the last day of the month, which can be useful in scenarios where you need to calculate the end date of a month.