Converting a date to a number in Excel might sound like a task reserved for Excel wizards, but it’s actually quite simple. By using Excel’s DATEVALUE function or formatting options, you can transform dates into serial numbers that Excel can read and manipulate. So, whether you’re creating a timeline, tracking a project, or performing calculations, converting dates to numbers is a useful skill to have in your Excel toolkit.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Convert Date to Number in Excel
Before diving into the steps, let’s understand what we’re about to do. Converting a date to a number in Excel will change the format from a readable date to a serial number that represents the date in Excel’s date-time code. This allows you to perform numerical calculations using the date.
Step 1: Select the cell with the date
Click on the cell that contains the date you want to convert.
Selecting the correct cell is crucial. If you have a whole column of dates, you might want to select the entire column instead of just one cell.
Step 2: Open the Format Cells dialog box
Right-click on the selected cell(s) and choose "Format Cells" from the context menu.
This opens a window where you can change the way Excel displays the data in the selected cell(s).
Step 3: Choose the ‘Number’ category
In the Format Cells dialog box, click on the ‘Number’ tab.
Under the ‘Number’ tab, you’ll find different options to format your data, including the option to convert the date to a number.
Step 4: Select ‘General’ format
Under the ‘Number’ tab, choose the ‘General’ option in the category list.
The ‘General’ format will remove the date format and display the underlying serial number that represents the date in Excel.
Step 5: Click ‘OK’ to apply the changes
After selecting ‘General’, click ‘OK’ to close the Format Cells dialog box and apply the changes.
Once you click ‘OK’, you’ll see that the date has been converted to a serial number in the selected cell(s).
After completing these steps, the selected dates will now be displayed as serial numbers. These numbers represent the number of days since January 0, 1900, which is the starting point of Excel’s date system.
Tips for Converting Date to Number in Excel
- Always make sure you’re working on a copy of your data or have a backup before making changes like converting dates to numbers.
- If you need to convert an entire column or multiple cells, select the entire range of cells before opening the Format Cells dialog box.
- Remember that converting date to number might affect formulas or functions that rely on the date format, so double-check your spreadsheets.
- To change the serial numbers back to dates, simply follow the same steps but select the ‘Date’ format in the Format Cells dialog box.
- If you prefer using Excel functions, the DATEVALUE function can also convert a date in text format to a serial number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a serial number in Excel?
A serial number in Excel is how the program stores dates and times as numerical values. Excel starts counting dates from January 0, 1900, which is designated as serial number 1.
Can I convert the number back to a date?
Yes, you can convert the number back to a date by reformatting the cell to a date format using the Format Cells dialog box or using the TEXT function in a formula.
Will this conversion affect my calculations?
It might. If you have formulas that rely on dates being in a date format, converting them to numbers could cause those formulas to return errors or incorrect results.
Can I convert multiple dates at once?
Absolutely! You can select multiple cells, an entire row, column, or even a range and convert all the selected dates to numbers simultaneously.
Does the DATEVALUE function work with all date formats?
The DATEVALUE function works best with dates that are recognized by Excel. If your date is in a custom format, Excel might not recognize it, and the function could return an error.
Summary
- Select the cell with the date
- Open the Format Cells dialog box
- Choose the ‘Number’ category
- Select ‘General’ format
- Click ‘OK’ to apply the changes
Conclusion
Excel is a powerful tool that offers a variety of functions to manipulate data, including dates. Converting a date to a number in Excel is a straightforward task that can open up new possibilities for data analysis and manipulation. Whether you’re working on a financial model, tracking project timelines, or analyzing time-based data, understanding how to make this conversion is an essential skill. With the steps provided in this article, you can quickly convert dates to serial numbers and make your data work for you in new and exciting ways. Remember to always keep a backup of your original data and double-check your formulas to ensure accuracy. Happy Excelling!