Learning to work with dates in Excel is a fundamental skill that can streamline data analysis and presentation. Displaying the day from a date in various formats can be useful for tasks such as reporting, sorting, and understanding trends over time. Here are five easy ways to display the day in Excel:
1. Using the DAY Function
The simplest method to display the day of a date is by using Excel’s DAY function. This function extracts the day from a date and returns it as a number from 1 to 31:
<p>=DAY(A1)</p>
- A1: Cell containing a date, e.g., 06/01/2023.
This will return "1" as January 6, 2023, has a day value of 6.
⚠️ Note: Ensure the cell's data is in date format before applying the DAY function.
2. Using the TEXT Function
If you want to display the day in a specific format, the TEXT function can be handy:
<p>=TEXT(A1, "dddd")</p>
- A1: Cell containing a date.
- "dddd": Formats the day to show the full name of the day of the week.
You can change "dddd" to "dd" for the day as a number or "ddd" for the abbreviated day name.
3. Using Custom Number Formatting
Custom number formatting in Excel can display days without changing the actual value:
- Select the cells with dates.
- Right-click, choose "Format Cells", or press Ctrl+1.
- In the "Number" tab, choose "Custom" from the list.
- In the "Type" box, enter "d" to show the day as a number, or use "[$-409]dddd" for the day name.
4. Using WEEKDAY Function
The WEEKDAY function returns a numeric value representing the day of the week:
<p>=WEEKDAY(A1)</p>
- A1: Cell containing a date.
- Returns 1 for Sunday, 2 for Monday, up to 7 for Saturday.
5. Extracting Day from Month and Year
To display the day when only the month and year are provided, you can use:
<p>=DAY(DATE(YEAR(A1), MONTH(A1), 1))</p>
- A1: Cell containing a date or partial date.
- This will return the day number of the first day in that month and year.
💡 Note: This method assumes the cell is formatted as a date. If not, format the cell appropriately before applying these functions.
The ability to manipulate dates in Excel can make your work more efficient. Whether you need to extract just the day or format it in a specific way, these methods provide flexibility for various applications. Remember to consider your dataset's format and choose the most appropriate function for your needs to ensure your data remains accurate and presentable.
Can I display the day in a different language?
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Yes, by changing the “dddd” format to include language codes, such as “dddd;[$-409]dddd” for English, you can display the day name in different languages. Ensure your version of Excel supports the desired language.
Why does the WEEKDAY function return different numbers?
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The WEEKDAY function has two return types: 1-7 or 0-6. The default is 1-7, where 1 is Sunday. Use =WEEKDAY(A1,2) for the 0-6 range, with 0 representing Sunday.
How can I highlight specific days on my Excel sheet?
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Use conditional formatting. Select the range, go to the “Home” tab, click on “Conditional Formatting”, choose “New Rule”, and set up rules using the WEEKDAY or DAY functions to highlight the desired days.
