Writing dates in Google Sheets is a crucial task for anyone who uses this popular spreadsheet software. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or an entrepreneur, you likely use Google Sheets to manage data, create charts, and perform calculations. However, writing dates in Google Sheets can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the various date formats and functions available. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to write dates in Google Sheets like a pro, including the different date formats, how to use the DATE function, and how to format dates using various functions and formulas.
Understanding Date Formats in Google Sheets
Date formats are an essential aspect of working with dates in Google Sheets. Google Sheets supports various date formats, including the standard date format (MM/DD/YYYY), the European date format (DD/MM/YYYY), and the ISO 8601 date format (YYYY-MM-DD). Understanding these formats is crucial to avoid any errors or inconsistencies in your data.
The standard date format (MM/DD/YYYY) is the most commonly used date format in the United States and Canada. It consists of a two-digit month, a two-digit day, and a four-digit year. For example, January 1, 2022, would be written as 01/01/2022.
The European date format (DD/MM/YYYY) is commonly used in Europe and other parts of the world. It consists of a two-digit day, a two-digit month, and a four-digit year. For example, January 1, 2022, would be written as 01/01/2022.
The ISO 8601 date format (YYYY-MM-DD) is an international standard for representing dates. It consists of a four-digit year, a two-digit month, and a two-digit day. For example, January 1, 2022, would be written as 2022-01-01.
Common Date Formats in Google Sheets
Here are some common date formats used in Google Sheets:
- MM/DD/YYYY (standard date format)
- DD/MM/YYYY (European date format)
- YYYY-MM-DD (ISO 8601 date format)
- MM/DD/YY (short date format)
- DD/MM/YY (short date format)
Using the DATE Function in Google Sheets
The DATE function in Google Sheets is used to create a date from separate year, month, and day values. The syntax of the DATE function is:
DATE(year, month, day)
For example, to create a date from the year 2022, month 1, and day 1, you would use the following formula:
=DATE(2022, 1, 1)
This formula would return the date January 1, 2022.
Using the TODAY Function in Google Sheets
The TODAY function in Google Sheets returns the current date. The syntax of the TODAY function is:
TODAY()
For example, to get the current date, you would use the following formula:
=TODAY()
This formula would return the current date.
Formatting Dates in Google Sheets
Google Sheets provides various functions and formulas to format dates. Here are some common date formats used in Google Sheets:
Using the TEXT Function in Google Sheets
The TEXT function in Google Sheets is used to convert a date to a specific format. The syntax of the TEXT function is: (See Also: How to Insert Average in Google Sheets? A Quick Guide)
TEXT(date, format)
For example, to convert the date January 1, 2022, to the format MM/DD/YYYY, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(A1, “MM/DD/YYYY”)
This formula would return the date in the format MM/DD/YYYY.
Using the DATEVALUE Function in Google Sheets
The DATEVALUE function in Google Sheets is used to convert a date in text format to a date value. The syntax of the DATEVALUE function is:
DATEVALUE(text)
For example, to convert the text “January 1, 2022” to a date value, you would use the following formula:
=DATEVALUE(“January 1, 2022”)
This formula would return the date January 1, 2022.
Common Date Functions in Google Sheets
Here are some common date functions used in Google Sheets:
DATE Function
The DATE function is used to create a date from separate year, month, and day values.
TODAY Function
The TODAY function is used to return the current date.
TEXT Function
The TEXT function is used to convert a date to a specific format.
DATEVALUE Function
The DATEVALUE function is used to convert a date in text format to a date value.
DAY Function
The DAY function is used to return the day of the month from a date.
MONTH Function
The MONTH function is used to return the month from a date.
YEAR Function
The YEAR function is used to return the year from a date. (See Also: How to Quickly Delete Rows in Google Sheets? Easy Tips)
Recap
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve covered the basics of writing dates in Google Sheets, including the different date formats, how to use the DATE function, and how to format dates using various functions and formulas. We’ve also covered some common date functions used in Google Sheets, including the DATE function, TODAY function, TEXT function, DATEVALUE function, DAY function, MONTH function, and YEAR function.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I write a date in Google Sheets?
You can write a date in Google Sheets using the DATE function, which is used to create a date from separate year, month, and day values. The syntax of the DATE function is:
DATE(year, month, day)
For example, to write the date January 1, 2022, you would use the following formula:
=DATE(2022, 1, 1)
How do I format a date in Google Sheets?
You can format a date in Google Sheets using the TEXT function, which is used to convert a date to a specific format. The syntax of the TEXT function is:
TEXT(date, format)
For example, to format the date January 1, 2022, to the format MM/DD/YYYY, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(A1, “MM/DD/YYYY”)
How do I convert a date in text format to a date value in Google Sheets?
You can convert a date in text format to a date value in Google Sheets using the DATEVALUE function. The syntax of the DATEVALUE function is:
DATEVALUE(text)
For example, to convert the text “January 1, 2022” to a date value, you would use the following formula:
=DATEVALUE(“January 1, 2022”)
How do I get the current date in Google Sheets?
You can get the current date in Google Sheets using the TODAY function. The syntax of the TODAY function is:
TODAY()
For example, to get the current date, you would use the following formula:
=TODAY()
How do I return the day of the month from a date in Google Sheets?
You can return the day of the month from a date in Google Sheets using the DAY function. The syntax of the DAY function is:
DAY(date)
For example, to return the day of the month from the date January 1, 2022, you would use the following formula:
=DAY(A1)
How do I return the month from a date in Google Sheets?
You can return the month from a date in Google Sheets using the MONTH function. The syntax of the MONTH function is:
MONTH(date)
For example, to return the month from the date January 1, 2022, you would use the following formula:
=MONTH(A1)
How do I return the year from a date in Google Sheets?
You can return the year from a date in Google Sheets using the YEAR function. The syntax of the YEAR function is:
YEAR(date)
For example, to return the year from the date January 1, 2022, you would use the following formula:
=YEAR(A1)
These are just a few examples of how to write dates in Google Sheets. By mastering these functions and formulas, you’ll be able to work with dates like a pro and unlock the full potential of Google Sheets.