Excel's DATEDIF() Function - Syntax and Examples 2

[Bowers74]

Another way to calculate dates in Excel, is a function that has absolutely no documentation in the Excel Help File (except Excel 2000). This function is the DATEDIF() function. It originates from Lotus 1-2-3.

The DATEDIF() function uses the following syntax:

=DATEDIF(start_date,end_date,"unit_code&quot

The start date has to be less than the end date, or else the function will return an error.

The following are the Unit Codes for the DATEDIF() function:

1. "y" - The years in a period
2. "m" - The months in a period
3. "d" - The days in a period
4. "md" - The difference between the days in a period, w/o the months and years
5. "ym" - The difference between the months in a period, w/o the days and years
6. "yd" - The difference between the days in a period, w/o the years

To calculate the number of years between two dates

=DATEDIF(A1,TODAY(),"y&quot & " Years"

To calculate the number of years and months between two dates

=DATEDIF(A1,TODAY(),"y&quot & " Years, " & DATEDIF(A1,TODAY(),"ym&quot & " Months"

To calculate the number of years, months and days between two dates

=DATEDIF(A1,TODAY(),"y&quot & " Years, " & DATEDIF(A1,TODAY(),"ym&quot & " Months, " & DATEDIF(A1,TODAY(),"md&quot & " Days"


I posted this inside a FAQ I wrote that deals with some of the Date Functions in Excel. If you're interested, then check it out:

faq68-4037




Peace!

Mike

Never say Never!!!
Nothing is impossible!!!

 

[deadzone285]

I use to use this in 1-2-3, but never knew that it was in excel too.

Thanks!