How to Change Date Format on Google Sheets? Easy Steps

When working with dates in Google Sheets, it’s essential to have a consistent and easy-to-read format. Unfortunately, the default date format in Google Sheets can be quite cumbersome, especially when dealing with large datasets or sharing spreadsheets with others. Changing the date format on Google Sheets can be a game-changer, making it easier to analyze and visualize your data. In this article, we’ll explore the different ways to change the date format on Google Sheets, and provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to do it.

Why Change the Date Format on Google Sheets?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s discuss why changing the date format on Google Sheets is important. The default date format in Google Sheets is MM/DD/YYYY, which can be confusing, especially when dealing with international dates. For instance, in Europe, the date format is DD/MM/YYYY, and in Asia, it’s YYYY-MM-DD. If you’re working with a global team or sharing your spreadsheet with others, a consistent date format is crucial to avoid misunderstandings and errors.

Additionally, changing the date format can also improve the readability of your data. When dates are displayed in a consistent format, it’s easier to scan and analyze your data. This is particularly important when working with large datasets or creating reports and dashboards.

Method 1: Using the Format Function

The first method to change the date format on Google Sheets is by using the Format function. This function allows you to apply a custom format to a cell or range of cells. To use the Format function, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select the Cell or Range

First, select the cell or range of cells that contains the date you want to format.

Step 2: Go to the Format Menu

Next, go to the Format menu and select the “Number” option.

Step 3: Select the Date Format

In the Number format dialog box, select the “Date” option and choose the desired date format from the drop-down menu. You can choose from a variety of date formats, including MM/DD/YYYY, DD/MM/YYYY, and YYYY-MM-DD.

Step 4: Apply the Format

Once you’ve selected the desired date format, click the “Apply” button to apply the format to the selected cell or range.

Here’s an example of how to use the Format function to change the date format on Google Sheets:

Method 2: Using the Text to Columns Feature

The second method to change the date format on Google Sheets is by using the Text to Columns feature. This feature allows you to split a text string into multiple columns, which can be useful when working with dates. To use the Text to Columns feature, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select the Cell or Range

First, select the cell or range of cells that contains the date you want to format. (See Also: How to Use Textjoin in Google Sheets? Master It Now)

Step 2: Go to the Data Menu

Next, go to the Data menu and select the “Text to Columns” option.

Step 3: Select the Delimiter

In the Text to Columns dialog box, select the delimiter that separates the date components. For example, if your date is in the format MM/DD/YYYY, you would select the “/” delimiter.

Step 4: Select the Date Format

Next, select the desired date format from the drop-down menu. You can choose from a variety of date formats, including MM/DD/YYYY, DD/MM/YYYY, and YYYY-MM-DD.

Step 5: Apply the Format

Once you’ve selected the desired date format, click the “Finish” button to apply the format to the selected cell or range.

Here’s an example of how to use the Text to Columns feature to change the date format on Google Sheets:

Method 3: Using a Formula

Here is the rest of the article:

Method 3: Using a Formula

The third method to change the date format on Google Sheets is by using a formula. This method is useful when you need to format a date in a specific way, such as adding a day of the week or a month name. To use a formula to change the date format, follow these steps:

Step 1: Enter the Formula

Enter the following formula in the cell where you want to display the formatted date:

=TEXT(A1,”YYYY-MM-DD”) (See Also: How to Create Serial Number in Google Sheets? Easy Step Guide)

Replace A1 with the cell containing the date you want to format.

Step 2: Apply the Formula

Press Enter to apply the formula. The formula will format the date in the desired format.

Here’s an example of how to use a formula to change the date format on Google Sheets:

Method 4: Using a Script

The fourth method to change the date format on Google Sheets is by using a script. This method is useful when you need to format a large number of dates or when you need to format dates in a specific way that is not possible with the other methods. To use a script to change the date format, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Script

Open the Google Sheets script editor by going to Tools > Script editor.

Step 2: Write the Script

Write the following script:

function formatDates() {
var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
var range = sheet.getRange(“A1:A10”);
var values = range.getValues();
for (var i = 0; i < values.length; i++) { values[i][0] = Utilities.formatDate(values[i][0], "MM/DD/YYYY", "YYYY-MM-DD"); } range.setValues(values); }

This script will format the dates in the range A1:A10 from MM/DD/YYYY to YYYY-MM-DD.

Step 3: Run the Script

Save the script and run it by clicking the “Run” button or by pressing Ctrl+Enter.

Here’s an example of how to use a script to change the date format on Google Sheets:

Recap

In this article, we’ve explored four different methods to change the date format on Google Sheets. We’ve covered using the Format function, the Text to Columns feature, formulas, and scripts. By using these methods, you can easily change the date format on Google Sheets to suit your needs.

Here’s a summary of the methods we’ve covered:

• Method 1: Using the Format function
• Method 2: Using the Text to Columns feature
• Method 3: Using a formula
• Method 4: Using a script

FAQs

Q: How do I change the date format on Google Sheets?

A: You can change the date format on Google Sheets by using the Format function, the Text to Columns feature, formulas, or scripts.

Q: How do I format a date in the format YYYY-MM-DD?

A: You can format a date in the format YYYY-MM-DD by using the Format function or a formula. For example, you can use the formula =TEXT(A1,”YYYY-MM-DD”) to format the date in cell A1.

Q: How do I format a date in the format MM/DD/YYYY?

A: You can format a date in the format MM/DD/YYYY by using the Format function or a formula. For example, you can use the formula =TEXT(A1,”MM/DD/YYYY”) to format the date in cell A1.

Q: How do I format a date in the format DD/MM/YYYY?

A: You can format a date in the format DD/MM/YYYY by using the Format function or a formula. For example, you can use the formula =TEXT(A1,”DD/MM/YYYY”) to format the date in cell A1.

Q: How do I format a date in a specific way that is not possible with the other methods?

A: You can format a date in a specific way that is not possible with the other methods by using a script. For example, you can use a script to format a date in a specific way that involves multiple steps or calculations.