Calculating days in Google Sheets is an essential skill for anyone working with dates and times in spreadsheets. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a hobbyist, understanding how to calculate days in Google Sheets can save you time and increase your productivity. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the various methods of calculating days in Google Sheets, from simple arithmetic operations to more complex formulas and functions.
Google Sheets is a powerful tool for data analysis and visualization, and its ability to perform calculations on dates and times is one of its most useful features. With Google Sheets, you can easily calculate the number of days between two dates, determine the day of the week for a given date, or even calculate the number of working days between two dates. In this guide, we’ll explore the different ways to calculate days in Google Sheets, including using arithmetic operations, formulas, and functions.
Basic Arithmetic Operations
One of the simplest ways to calculate days in Google Sheets is by using basic arithmetic operations. For example, if you want to calculate the number of days between two dates, you can use the subtraction operator (-). To do this, select the cell where you want to display the result, type the formula =A2-A1 (assuming the two dates are in cells A2 and A1), and press Enter.
Another way to calculate days is by using the multiplication operator (*). For example, if you want to calculate the number of days in a month, you can use the formula =31*12 (assuming there are 31 days in a month). However, this method is not very accurate, as it doesn’t take into account the varying number of days in different months.
While basic arithmetic operations can be useful for simple calculations, they may not be sufficient for more complex tasks. In the next section, we’ll explore more advanced methods for calculating days in Google Sheets.
Using the DATEDIF Function
One of the most powerful functions for calculating days in Google Sheets is the DATEDIF function. This function allows you to calculate the number of days between two dates, taking into account the number of days in each month. The syntax for the DATEDIF function is =DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, unit), where start_date and end_date are the two dates you want to calculate between, and unit is the unit of time you want to calculate (e.g., “D” for days, “M” for months, or “Y” for years).
For example, if you want to calculate the number of days between two dates, you can use the formula =DATEDIF(A2,B2,”D”). This formula will return the number of days between the two dates in cells A2 and B2.
The DATEDIF function is a powerful tool for calculating days in Google Sheets, but it can be a bit complex to use. In the next section, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for using this function effectively.
Using the DATEDIF Function with Different Units
The DATEDIF function allows you to calculate the number of days between two dates using different units of time. For example, you can use the formula =DATEDIF(A2,B2,”M”) to calculate the number of months between two dates, or =DATEDIF(A2,B2,”Y”) to calculate the number of years.
Here are some examples of how to use the DATEDIF function with different units: (See Also: How to Make a Dropdown Menu in Google Sheets? Easy Steps)
| Unit | Formula |
|---|---|
| Days | =DATEDIF(A2,B2,”D”) |
| Months | =DATEDIF(A2,B2,”M”) |
| Years | =DATEDIF(A2,B2,”Y”) |
Using the EOMONTH Function
Another useful function for calculating days in Google Sheets is the EOMONTH function. This function allows you to calculate the last day of a month, which can be useful for calculating the number of days in a month. The syntax for the EOMONTH function is =EOMONTH(date, months), where date is the date you want to calculate the last day of, and months is the number of months you want to add.
For example, if you want to calculate the last day of a month, you can use the formula =EOMONTH(A2,0). This formula will return the last day of the month in cell A2.
Using the EOMONTH Function with Different Months
The EOMONTH function allows you to calculate the last day of a month by adding a specified number of months. For example, if you want to calculate the last day of a month 3 months from now, you can use the formula =EOMONTH(A2,3). This formula will return the last day of the month 3 months from the date in cell A2.
Here are some examples of how to use the EOMONTH function with different months:
| Months | Formula |
|---|---|
| 0 | =EOMONTH(A2,0) |
| 1 | =EOMONTH(A2,1) |
| 3 | =EOMONTH(A2,3) |
Advanced Calculations
While the basic arithmetic operations and functions we’ve discussed so far are useful for simple calculations, they may not be sufficient for more complex tasks. In this section, we’ll explore some advanced calculations for calculating days in Google Sheets.
Using the WORKDAY Function
One of the most powerful functions for calculating days in Google Sheets is the WORKDAY function. This function allows you to calculate the number of working days between two dates, taking into account weekends and holidays. The syntax for the WORKDAY function is =WORKDAY(start_date, days, [holidays]), where start_date is the starting date, days is the number of working days you want to calculate, and [holidays] is an optional argument that specifies the holidays you want to exclude.
For example, if you want to calculate the number of working days between two dates, you can use the formula =WORKDAY(A2,B2, {“2022-01-01”, “2022-01-03”}). This formula will return the number of working days between the two dates in cells A2 and B2, excluding weekends and holidays.
Using the WORKDAY Function with Different Holidays
The WORKDAY function allows you to specify different holidays to exclude from the calculation. For example, if you want to exclude Christmas Day and New Year’s Day from the calculation, you can use the formula =WORKDAY(A2,B2, {“2022-12-25”, “2023-01-01”}). This formula will return the number of working days between the two dates in cells A2 and B2, excluding Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. (See Also: How to Add Pi in Google Sheets? Mastering Math in Spreadsheets)
Here are some examples of how to use the WORKDAY function with different holidays:
| Holidays | Formula |
|---|---|
| {“2022-01-01”, “2022-01-03”} | =WORKDAY(A2,B2, {“2022-01-01”, “2022-01-03”}) |
| {“2022-12-25”, “2023-01-01”} | =WORKDAY(A2,B2, {“2022-12-25”, “2023-01-01”}) |
Using the NETWORKDAYS Function
Another useful function for calculating days in Google Sheets is the NETWORKDAYS function. This function allows you to calculate the number of working days between two dates, taking into account weekends and holidays. The syntax for the NETWORKDAYS function is =NETWORKDAYS(start_date, end_date, [holidays]), where start_date and end_date are the two dates you want to calculate between, and [holidays] is an optional argument that specifies the holidays you want to exclude.
For example, if you want to calculate the number of working days between two dates, you can use the formula =NETWORKDAYS(A2,B2, {“2022-01-01”, “2022-01-03”}). This formula will return the number of working days between the two dates in cells A2 and B2, excluding weekends and holidays.
Using the NETWORKDAYS Function with Different Holidays
The NETWORKDAYS function allows you to specify different holidays to exclude from the calculation. For example, if you want to exclude Christmas Day and New Year’s Day from the calculation, you can use the formula =NETWORKDAYS(A2,B2, {“2022-12-25”, “2023-01-01”}). This formula will return the number of working days between the two dates in cells A2 and B2, excluding Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Here are some examples of how to use the NETWORKDAYS function with different holidays:
| Holidays | Formula |
|---|---|
| {“2022-01-01”, “2022-01-03”} | =NETWORKDAYS(A2,B2, {“2022-01-01”, “2022-01-03”}) |
| {“2022-12-25”, “2023-01-01”} | =NETWORKDAYS(A2,B2, {“2022-12-25”, “2023-01-01”}) |
Recap
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored the various methods for calculating days in Google Sheets, from basic arithmetic operations to more complex formulas and functions. We’ve discussed the DATEDIF function, the EOMONTH function, the WORKDAY function, and the NETWORKDAYS function, and provided examples of how to use each function with different units and holidays.
We’ve also discussed some tips and tricks for using these functions effectively, including how to use the DATEDIF function with different units, how to use the EOMONTH function with different months, and how to use the WORKDAY and NETWORKDAYS functions with different holidays.
We hope this guide has been helpful in teaching you how to calculate days in Google Sheets. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a hobbyist, understanding how to calculate days in Google Sheets can save you time and increase your productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Calculate Days in Google Sheets?
What is the DATEDIF function?
The DATEDIF function is a powerful function in Google Sheets that allows you to calculate the number of days between two dates, taking into account the number of days in each month. The syntax for the DATEDIF function is =DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, unit), where start_date and end_date are the two dates you want to calculate between, and unit is the unit of time you want to calculate (e.g., “D” for days, “M” for months, or “Y” for years).
How to use the WORKDAY function?
The WORKDAY function is a powerful function in Google Sheets that allows you to calculate the number of working days between two dates, taking into account weekends and holidays. The syntax for the WORKDAY function is =WORKDAY(start_date, days, [holidays]), where start_date is the starting date, days is the number of working days you want to calculate, and [holidays] is an optional argument that specifies the holidays you want to exclude.
How to use the NETWORKDAYS function?
The NETWORKDAYS function is a powerful function in Google Sheets that allows you to calculate the number of working days between two dates, taking into account weekends and holidays. The syntax for the NETWORKDAYS function is =NETWORKDAYS(start_date, end_date, [holidays]), where start_date and end_date are the two dates you want to calculate between, and [holidays] is an optional argument that specifies the holidays you want to exclude.
What is the difference between the WORKDAY and NETWORKDAYS functions?
The WORKDAY and NETWORKDAYS functions are both used to calculate the number of working days between two dates, but they differ in their syntax and functionality. The WORKDAY function is used to calculate the number of working days between two dates, excluding weekends and holidays, while the NETWORKDAYS function is used to calculate the number of working days between two dates, excluding weekends and holidays, but also taking into account the number of days in each month.
How to use the DATEDIF function with different units?
The DATEDIF function allows you to calculate the number of days between two dates using different units of time. For example, you can use the formula =DATEDIF(A2,B2,”M”) to calculate the number of months between two dates, or =DATEDIF(A2,B2,”Y”) to calculate the number of years.
How to use the EOMONTH function?
The EOMONTH function is a powerful function in Google Sheets that allows you to calculate the last day of a month. The syntax for the EOMONTH function is =EOMONTH(date, months), where date is the date you want to calculate the last day of, and months is the number of months you want to add.