Setting the first day of the week in Excel can be a bit tricky, but it's a crucial step in ensuring that your data is presented accurately and consistently. In this article, we'll explore five ways to set the first day of the week in Excel, along with some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your spreadsheet.
Why is setting the first day of the week important?
Setting the first day of the week is important because it affects how Excel displays and calculates dates and days of the week. By default, Excel sets the first day of the week to Sunday, but this can be changed to suit your specific needs. For example, if you're working with data that is typically organized by Monday to Sunday, you'll want to set the first day of the week to Monday.
Method 1: Using the Excel Options
One of the easiest ways to set the first day of the week in Excel is by using the Excel Options.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open Excel and click on the "File" tab.
- Click on "Options" in the left-hand menu.
- In the Excel Options window, click on the "Advanced" tab.
- Scroll down to the "Display options for this worksheet" section.
- Click on the dropdown menu next to "First day of week" and select the day you want to set as the first day of the week.
Method 2: Using a Formula
Another way to set the first day of the week in Excel is by using a formula.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Enter the following formula in a cell:
=WEEKDAY(A1, 2) - Replace "A1" with the cell containing the date you want to format.
- The formula will return a number representing the day of the week, where 1 = Monday, 2 = Tuesday, and so on.
Method 3: Using a Macro
If you need to set the first day of the week for multiple worksheets or workbooks, you can use a macro.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Visual Basic Editor by pressing "Alt + F11" or by navigating to "Developer" > "Visual Basic" in the ribbon.
- In the Visual Basic Editor, click "Insert" > "Module" to insert a new module.
- Paste the following code into the module:
Sub SetFirstDayOfWeek()Application.FirstDayOfWeek = 2End Sub - Replace "2" with the number representing the day you want to set as the first day of the week.
- Click "Run" to run the macro.
Method 4: Using a Date Format
You can also set the first day of the week by using a date format.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Select the cells containing the dates you want to format.
- Right-click on the cells and select "Format Cells".
- In the Format Cells window, click on the "Number" tab.
- Select "Custom" from the Category list.
- Enter the following format code:
ddd, mmm d, yyyy - Replace "ddd" with the day of the week abbreviation (e.g. "Mon" for Monday).
- Replace "mmm" with the month abbreviation (e.g. "Jan" for January).
- Replace "d" with the day of the month.
- Replace "yyyy" with the year.
Method 5: Using a PivotTable
Finally, you can set the first day of the week by using a PivotTable.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Select the cells containing the data you want to analyze.
- Go to the "Insert" tab and click on "PivotTable".
- In the Create PivotTable window, select a cell to place the PivotTable.
- Click "OK" to create the PivotTable.
- Drag the "Date" field to the "Row Labels" area.
- Right-click on the "Date" field and select "Value Field Settings".
- In the Value Field Settings window, click on the "Number Format" button.
- Select "Custom" from the Category list.
- Enter the following format code:
ddd, mmm d, yyyy - Replace "ddd" with the day of the week abbreviation (e.g. "Mon" for Monday).
- Replace "mmm" with the month abbreviation (e.g. "Jan" for January).
- Replace "d" with the day of the month.
- Replace "yyyy" with the year.
Gallery of Excel Date Format
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set the first day of the week in Excel?
+You can set the first day of the week in Excel by using the Excel Options, a formula, a macro, a date format, or a PivotTable.
What is the default first day of the week in Excel?
+The default first day of the week in Excel is Sunday.
How do I change the first day of the week in a PivotTable?
+You can change the first day of the week in a PivotTable by dragging the "Date" field to the "Row Labels" area and then right-clicking on the "Date" field and selecting "Value Field Settings".
We hope this article has helped you learn how to set the first day of the week in Excel. Whether you're working with dates, PivotTables, or macros, setting the first day of the week is an important step in ensuring that your data is presented accurately and consistently. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to ask!
Gallery of 5 Ways To Set First Day Of Week In Excel
