When working with dates in Google Sheets, it’s often necessary to extract specific components of the date, such as the month or year. One common task is to get the month from a date, which can be useful for various purposes, such as grouping data by month, creating charts and graphs, or performing calculations based on the month. In this article, we’ll explore the different ways to get the month from a date in Google Sheets.
Method 1: Using the MONTH Function
The MONTH function is a built-in Google Sheets function that returns the month of a date as a number between 1 and 12. To use the MONTH function, simply enter the formula `=MONTH(A1)` in a cell, where A1 is the cell containing the date you want to extract the month from.
For example, if the date in cell A1 is “2022-07-25”, the MONTH function will return the value 7, which represents the month of July.
Using the MONTH Function with a Specific Date Format
By default, the MONTH function returns the month as a number. However, you can use the `TEXT` function to format the month as a text string. For example, to format the month as “Month YYYY”, you can use the following formula:
=TEXT(A1,"Month "&TEXT(MONTH(A1),"00"))
This formula will return the text string “Month 07” for the date “2022-07-25”.
Method 2: Using the DATE Function
The DATE function is another built-in Google Sheets function that can be used to extract the month from a date. The DATE function takes three arguments: year, month, and day. To use the DATE function, simply enter the formula `=DATE(2022,MONTH(A1),1)` in a cell, where A1 is the cell containing the date you want to extract the month from.
The DATE function returns a date value that represents the first day of the month. For example, if the date in cell A1 is “2022-07-25”, the DATE function will return the date “2022-07-01”, which represents the first day of July. (See Also: How to Separate Numbers from Text in Google Sheets? Easy Tricks)
Using the DATE Function with a Specific Date Format
Like the MONTH function, the DATE function can be used with the `TEXT` function to format the month as a text string. For example, to format the month as “Month YYYY”, you can use the following formula:
=TEXT(DATE(2022,MONTH(A1),1),"Month "&TEXT(MONTH(A1),"00"))
This formula will return the text string “Month 07” for the date “2022-07-25”.
Method 3: Using the TEXT Function
The TEXT function is a powerful function in Google Sheets that can be used to format dates and extract specific components of a date. To use the TEXT function to get the month from a date, simply enter the formula `=RIGHT(TEXT(A1,”yyyy-mm-dd”),2)` in a cell, where A1 is the cell containing the date you want to extract the month from.
The TEXT function returns a text string that represents the date in the format “yyyy-mm-dd”. The `RIGHT` function is used to extract the last two characters of the text string, which represents the month.
Using the TEXT Function with a Specific Date Format
Like the MONTH function, the TEXT function can be used with the `LEFT` function to format the month as a text string. For example, to format the month as “Month YYYY”, you can use the following formula:
=LEFT(TEXT(A1,"yyyy-mm-dd"),3)&" "&RIGHT(TEXT(A1,"yyyy-mm-dd"),2)
This formula will return the text string “Jul 07” for the date “2022-07-25”. (See Also: How to Make a Line Graph Google Sheets? Easy Steps)
Method 4: Using a Custom Formula
If you prefer to use a custom formula to get the month from a date, you can use the following formula:
=IF(MONTH(A1)<10,"0"&MONTH(A1),MONTH(A1))
This formula uses the `IF` function to check if the month is less than 10. If it is, the formula adds a leading zero to the month. For example, if the date in cell A1 is “2022-07-25”, the formula will return the value 07.
Recap
In this article, we’ve explored four different methods to get the month from a date in Google Sheets. We’ve used the MONTH function, the DATE function, the TEXT function, and a custom formula to extract the month from a date. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method will depend on the specific requirements of your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get the month from a date in Google Sheets?
You can get the month from a date in Google Sheets using the MONTH function, the DATE function, the TEXT function, or a custom formula. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method will depend on the specific requirements of your project.
What is the difference between the MONTH function and the DATE function?
The MONTH function returns the month of a date as a number between 1 and 12, while the DATE function returns a date value that represents the first day of the month. The MONTH function is useful for extracting the month from a date, while the DATE function is useful for performing calculations based on the month.
How do I format the month as a text string?
You can format the month as a text string using the TEXT function or a custom formula. For example, you can use the following formula to format the month as “Month YYYY”: `=TEXT(MONTH(A1),”Month “&TEXT(MONTH(A1),”00”))`. This formula will return the text string “Month 07” for the date “2022-07-25”.
Can I use the MONTH function with a specific date format?
Yes, you can use the MONTH function with a specific date format using the `TEXT` function. For example, you can use the following formula to format the month as “Month YYYY”: `=TEXT(MONTH(A1),”Month “&TEXT(MONTH(A1),”00”))`. This formula will return the text string “Month 07” for the date “2022-07-25”.
How do I get the month from a date in Google Sheets without using a formula?
You can get the month from a date in Google Sheets without using a formula by using the “Format cells” feature in Google Sheets. To do this, select the cell containing the date, go to the “Format” menu, and select “Number” > “Custom date and time”. Then, enter the format “Month YYYY” and click “OK”. This will format the date as “Month YYYY” without using a formula.