Count Months Between Dates In Excel

Counting months between dates in Excel can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I'm here to guide you through it.

Calculating the number of months between two dates is a common task in Excel, especially when working with financial data, project timelines, or scheduling. In this article, we'll explore the different methods to count months between dates in Excel.

Method 1: Using the DATEDIF Function

The DATEDIF function is a built-in Excel function that calculates the difference between two dates in a specified interval (days, months, or years). To count the number of months between two dates using DATEDIF, follow these steps:

1. Select the cell where you want to display the result.
2. Type =DATEDIF( and select the start date cell.
3. Type a comma , and select the end date cell.
4. Type a comma , and enter "M" to specify the month interval.
5. Close the parentheses and press Enter.

Formula: =DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, "M")

Example: =DATEDIF(A2, B2, "M")

Assuming A2 contains the start date and B2 contains the end date.

Method 2: Using the MONTH and YEAR Functions

Another way to count months between dates is by using the MONTH and YEAR functions. This method is useful when you want to calculate the number of months between two dates without using the DATEDIF function.

1. Select the cell where you want to display the result.
2. Type =(YEAR(end_date) - YEAR(start_date)) * 12 + MONTH(end_date) - MONTH(start_date)
3. Replace end_date and start_date with the corresponding cell references.

Formula: =(YEAR(end_date) - YEAR(start_date)) * 12 + MONTH(end_date) - MONTH(start_date)

Example: =(YEAR(B2) - YEAR(A2)) * 12 + MONTH(B2) - MONTH(A2)

Assuming A2 contains the start date and B2 contains the end date.

Method 3: Using the EDATE Function

The EDATE function is another useful function in Excel that can be used to count months between dates. This function returns a date that is a specified number of months before or after a given date.

1. Select the cell where you want to display the result.
2. Type =EDATE(start_date, (end_date - start_date) / 30)
3. Replace start_date and end_date with the corresponding cell references.

Formula: =EDATE(start_date, (end_date - start_date) / 30)

Example: =EDATE(A2, (B2 - A2) / 30)

Assuming A2 contains the start date and B2 contains the end date.

Method 4: Using Power Query

If you're using Excel 2013 or later, you can use Power Query to count months between dates. Power Query is a powerful tool that allows you to manipulate and analyze data in a more efficient way.

1. Select the cell where you want to display the result.
2. Go to the "Data" tab in the ribbon.
3. Click on "New Query" and select "From Other Sources" > "Blank Query".
4. In the Power Query Editor, type = Date.From(date) - Date.From(date)
5. Replace date with the corresponding cell reference.
6. Go to the "Home" tab and click on "Load & Close".

Formula: = Date.From(date) - Date.From(date)

Example: = Date.From(A2) - Date.From(B2)

Assuming A2 contains the start date and B2 contains the end date.

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FAQs

By following these methods and formulas, you can easily count months between dates in Excel. Whether you're working with financial data, project timelines, or scheduling, these methods will help you to accurately calculate the number of months between two dates.

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