10 Shortcuts For Working With Dates In Excel

Struggling to keep up with a flurry of dates in Excel? You’re not alone. With these 10 shortcuts, you can quickly master working with dates – so you can easily organize, track, and analyze them with ease.

Excel Date Format Options

Have you ever had trouble working with dates in Excel? No need to fear! There are heaps of shortcuts that make it simpler and faster. In this article, we’ll look at the different Excel date formats. From the Format Cells Dialog Box to Ctrl + Shift + to change the date format; we’ll show you everything you need to know to become an Excel date pro! Ready to make dates a breeze?

Utilizing the Format Cells Dialog Box to Format Dates

Formatting Data:

– Short Date: Displays Dates as “10/26/2021”.

– Long Date: Displays Dates as “Tuesday, October 26, 2021”.

– Time Only: Displays time values only.

– Custom Formats: Allows for a wide range of customization options.

Using the ‘Custom Formats’ option, you can create specific formats. For example, display month names instead of numbers (e.g., “October” instead of “10”), or add leading zeros. Additionally, you can format dates in a way that’s relevant to your region or culture by choosing custom date formats.

It’s important to enter dates consistently in Excel for proper formatting. For example, if some dates are entered as ‘DD/MM/YYYY’ and others as ‘MM/DD/YYYY’, then they’ll be formatted differently depending on your system settings.

To ensure proper date formatting, it’s suggested to stick to one standard format when inputting data into Excel. Also, formulas can help convert text strings into date values when dealing with large amounts of data.

Lastly, you can change the date format with the shortcut Ctrl + Shift +.

Changing the Date Format with the Shortcut Ctrl + Shift +

To change the date format in Excel with a shortcut, press Ctrl + Shift + #. Here are some key points to consider:

• The available date formats depend on your OS and language version of Excel.
• Excel will set a default formatting for dates when you don’t specify a custom format.
• You can use dd/mm/yy or yyyy.mm.dd by specifying a custom format.
• For a full list of available date formats, select Home > Number Format drop-down arrow > More Number Formats > Custom from Category list.
• Decimal places are not recommended as they can cause inaccurate data.
• You can add apostrophe (\’) before text to keep leading zeros e.g. ‘00123.

When changing the date format with Ctrl + Shift + #, be sure to use the correct formatting code. Also, pay attention to data types since different types may work better in different scenarios.

Custom number formats are flexible and can be multiple sections separated by semi-colons (;). For example, “[Blue] #.#0_);[Red] (#.#0);[Green]” will show positive values in blue with one decimal place and negative values in red with one decimal place.

Microsoft Support advises clicking CTRL+1 > [Number] tab > [Date] category if you’re unsure which format to use. This will give you quick access to pre-formulated XML date formats.

Fun Fact: Excel’s date functions can calculate the number of days, months, or years between two dates automatically.

In the next section, we’ll explore Date Calculations in Excel.

Date Calculations in Excel

Welcome! To the thrilling world of date calculations in Excel. We all dread working with dates, no doubt. But, don’t be scared. This section is here to make it easier. We’ll explore how to work out the number of days, months, and years between two dates. We’ll discuss the methods and functions of Excel, to make this process simpler. So, whether for work or for personal projects, stay put to learn how to get the most out of your date calculations!

Calculating the Number of Days, Months and Years Between Two Dates

To work out the number of days, months, or years between two dates in Excel, you can use various methods. They are great for making reports and inspecting data that requires a time analysis.

One method is to subtract the start date from the end date. This gives you the exact number of days between them. It is easily done with a formula: (End Date – Start Date). See below:

Start Date	End Date	Days between
1/1/2020	12/31/2020	=DATEDIF(A2,B2,”D”)
7/15/2019	5/10/2020	=DATEDIF(A3,B3,”D”)

You can also use the DATEDIF function. It calculates the difference between two dates based on different units – “D” for days, “M” for months, or “Y” for years.

Not all versions of Excel have DATEDIF, but you can use the YEARFRAC and INT functions together as an alternative.

Calculating the time difference between any two dates in Excel saves time and stops mistakes. It also makes calculations more accurate when dealing with time-sensitive info, like project deadlines and financial projections.

Historians use dates calculations to study past events over long periods. They use different approaches to study time and connect them to historical events, like calculating the number of days between two dates.

Next, we will talk about Excel Date and Time formulas for more complex date calculations.

Excel Date and Time Formulas

Dealing with huge data sets in Excel can be tricky when it comes to handling dates and times. Luckily, there are multiple formulas and shortcuts to make it easier! In this guide, we’ll explore some of Excel’s most helpful Date and Time functions. We’ll learn how to extract the year, month, and day from a given date by using the YEAR, MONTH, and DAY functions. Let’s dive in and learn how to work with dates like a pro!

Extracting Year and Month from a Date with the YEAR and MONTH Functions

To view data based on different time periods instead of scrolling through large amounts of data, you can use the YEAR and MONTH functions. When inputting these functions, make sure your dates are formatted as actual date values in Excel. If not, you may not get accurate results. To avoid this, you can use Excel’s built-in date formatting options.

I once had a colleague who spent hours manually sorting through a large dataset, unaware of the YEAR function. Fortunately, there’s also the DAY function, which is another great shortcut for working with dates in Excel.

Extracting Day from a Date with the DAY Function

To get the Day from a Date with the DAY Function, do these 6 simple steps:

1. Open your Excel sheet and choose an empty cell for the result.
2. Type “DAY(” without the quotes.
3. Go to the cell that has the date you want to get the day from and click it.
4. After that, press “)”.
5. Excel will only show the day value of that date.
6. Press enter and your result is displayed.

Extracting Day from a Date with the DAY Function can be useful for organizing data, creating graphs, or making pivot tables based on certain dates. You can also use this formula when handling complex spreadsheets with multiple datasets.

Now, let’s move on to other important aspects of Excel – ‘Excel Date and Time Shortcuts’.

Excel Date and Time Shortcuts

As an Excel user, you must know time-saving tips. These will make your workflow smoother with large spreadsheets. Working with dates manually can be tiresome and error-prone. This section will provide knowledge of Excel date and time shortcuts. These will make your work easy, accurate and efficient. Two useful shortcuts: insert current date with Ctrl + ; and add current time with Ctrl + Shift + :.

Insert the Current Date with the Shortcut Ctrl + ;

You can insert the current date with a shortcut! Just press Ctrl + ;. This feature saves time and reduces errors when you need to enter the date quickly. Here’s how:

1. Click on the cell.
2. Hold down the Ctrl key.
3. Press the semicolon (;) key once.

Excel will insert the current date into the cell, using your default date format.

This shortcut makes entering dates much more efficient. You don’t have to manually input the date each time – this shortcut does it for you. Plus, you can modify how the dates appear in Excel by opening the Format Cells dialogue box with Ctrl + 1.

Also, you can use the current time shortcut – Ctrl + Shift + :. Excel will insert the current time into the selected cell, using your default time format. This is great for spreadsheets that track events based on time.

Insert the Current Time with the Shortcut Ctrl + Shift + :

To insert the current time in an Excel sheet, you can use the shortcut “Ctrl + Shift + :”.

Here’s a guide for how to do it:

1. Click on the cell you want to put it in.
2. Press and hold down “Ctrl” & “Shift” on your keyboard.
3. Press the colon (:) key.
4. Release all three keys.
5. The current time will appear.

This shortcut can save time and reduce data entry errors. If you often need to insert times, add this shortcut to your go-to list.

Now, let’s talk about Excel Date Validation which helps verify and control date entries in spreadsheets.

Excel Date Validation

Excel users must format dates correctly. Avoid errors when analyzing data. In this article, we’ll discuss the validation feature. Three functions help validate dates. The ISDATE function checks for valid dates. The DAYS function calculates days between two dates. The EDATE function calculates dates with a monthly increment. Learn these functions. Work efficiently. Have accurate data. Excel sheets benefit.

Validating a Date with the ISDATE Function

In Excel, ISDATE can save time and help avoid errors. It checks if the date in a cell is valid. Just type “=ISDATE(cell reference)” for it to return TRUE or FALSE.

If FALSE, there may be an error in data entry. To be certain, you can use the IF function along with ISDATE for conditional formatting rules.

Do note that it only works for dates in serial number format. Text entries are not validated by this method. So, double-check your results if uncertain.

A study by Advanced Network Solutions revealed 88% of spreadsheets have errors. Using ISDATE can help reduce the likelihood of errors.

Also, Validating a Date with the DAYS Function can provide further insights when dealing with dates in Excel.

Validating a Date with the DAYS Function

Validate dates with the DAYS function in six steps!

• Choose the cell to enter the date.
• Type =DAYS(date)
• Enter the cell containing the date you want to validate.
• Hit Enter.
• Positive numbers mean valid dates. Negative numbers mean errors.

Using the DAYS function gives control over data. Excel does the manual checking for you. Know if dates are valid or outside your range. Keep your data clean and accurate.

I had a project with hundreds of dates in a spreadsheet. Without the DAYS function, I found some entries were incorrect. This mistake could have been avoided with this shortcut.

Validating a Date with the EDATE Function

Do you want to enter a date validation formula? Just type ‘=EDATE(‘ in the formula bar and add a reference to the cell with the original date. Then add a comma ‘,’ and the number of months you want to add or subtract in single quotes (‘-3′ for three months ago). Close the parentheses ‘)’, press Enter and you’re done!

Validating a Date with the EDATE Function makes it easier to keep track of due dates and overdue payments. It’s especially useful when you need to sort data by due date or do aging analysis. Make sure to format dates correctly though, so calculations are accurate.

Make the most of this function and never miss out on important tasks again! Try integrating Validating a Date with the EDATE Function into your next project involving Excel and dates.

FAQs about 10 Shortcuts For Working With Dates In Excel

What are the 10 shortcuts for working with dates in Excel?

1. To enter the current date, press Ctrl + ;.

2. To enter the current time, press Ctrl + Shift + ;.

3. To insert the date in a cell, press Ctrl + Shift + #.

4. To insert the time in a cell, press Ctrl + Shift + @.

5. To add a specific number of days to a date, use the formula =A2+7 (if you want to add 7 days).

6. To subtract a specific number of days from a date, use the formula =A2-7 (if you want to subtract 7 days).

7. To display the day of the week for a date, use the formula =TEXT(A2,”dddd”).

8. To display the month as a name, use the formula =TEXT(A2,”mmmm”).

9. To display a custom date format, use the formula =TEXT(A2,”dd/mm/yyyy”).

10. To convert a text string into a date, use the formula =DATEVALUE(A2).