Excel Calculate Months Between Dates

Calculating Months Between Dates in Excel

When working with dates in Excel, one common task is to calculate the number of months between two dates. This can be useful in a variety of scenarios, such as determining the duration of a project, calculating the age of a person, or finding the difference between two dates in a financial context. In this article, we will explore the different methods to calculate months between dates in Excel.

Using the DATEDIF Function

The DATEDIF function is a useful tool for calculating the difference between two dates in Excel. The syntax for the DATEDIF function is as follows: DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, unit). The unit parameter can be set to “M” to calculate the difference in months. For example, if you want to calculate the number of months between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, you can use the following formula: =DATEDIF(A1, B1, “M”) Assuming A1 contains the start date (January 1, 2020) and B1 contains the end date (December 31, 2020), the formula will return 11.

Using the MONTH and YEAR Functions

Another way to calculate the number of months between two dates is to use the MONTH and YEAR functions. You can use the following formula: =(YEAR(B1) - YEAR(A1)) * 12 + MONTH(B1) - MONTH(A1) This formula calculates the difference in years and multiplies it by 12, then adds the difference in months. For example, if A1 contains the start date (January 1, 2020) and B1 contains the end date (December 31, 2020), the formula will return 11.

Using the EOMONTH Function

The EOMONTH function returns the last day of the month for a given date. You can use the EOMONTH function to calculate the number of months between two dates as follows: =MONTH(EOMONTH(B1, 0)) - MONTH(EOMONTH(A1, 0)) + (YEAR(EOMONTH(B1, 0)) - YEAR(EOMONTH(A1, 0))) * 12 This formula calculates the last day of the month for both dates, then calculates the difference in months.

Using VBA

If you prefer to use VBA, you can create a custom function to calculate the number of months between two dates. Here is an example of a VBA function:

Function MonthsBetweenDates(start_date As Date, end_date As Date) As Integer
    MonthsBetweenDates = DateDiff("m", start_date, end_date)
End Function

You can then use this function in your Excel worksheet like any other formula.

Table of Examples

Here is a table of examples to illustrate the different methods:

Start Date	End Date	DATEDIF Formula	MONTH and YEAR Formula	EOMONTH Formula
January 1, 2020	December 31, 2020	=DATEDIF(A1, B1, “M”)	=(YEAR(B1) - YEAR(A1)) * 12 + MONTH(B1) - MONTH(A1)	=MONTH(EOMONTH(B1, 0)) - MONTH(EOMONTH(A1, 0)) + (YEAR(EOMONTH(B1, 0)) - YEAR(EOMONTH(A1, 0))) * 12
June 15, 2020	September 15, 2020	=DATEDIF(A2, B2, “M”)	=(YEAR(B2) - YEAR(A2)) * 12 + MONTH(B2) - MONTH(A2)	=MONTH(EOMONTH(B2, 0)) - MONTH(EOMONTH(A2, 0)) + (YEAR(EOMONTH(B2, 0)) - YEAR(EOMONTH(A2, 0))) * 12

📝 Note: The DATEDIF function is not available in all versions of Excel, so be sure to check your version before using it.

📝 Note: The MONTH and YEAR functions can be used in conjunction with other functions to calculate the number of months between two dates.

In summary, there are several ways to calculate the number of months between two dates in Excel, including using the DATEDIF function, the MONTH and YEAR functions, the EOMONTH function, and VBA. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method will depend on your specific needs and preferences. By understanding these different methods, you can choose the one that works best for you and become more proficient in working with dates in Excel.

To recap, calculating months between dates in Excel can be achieved through various formulas and functions, each with its own strengths. Whether you’re working with simple date differences or more complex calculations, Excel provides a range of tools to help you achieve your goals. By mastering these techniques, you’ll be better equipped to handle a wide range of tasks and projects that involve working with dates.