Excel years between dates is a common question among users who need to calculate the number of years between two dates in Microsoft Excel. This calculation is essential for various purposes, such as tracking the age of a person, determining the duration of a project, or analyzing the progression of events over time. In this article, we will explore different methods to calculate years between dates in Excel, including built-in functions and custom formulas.
Excel provides several functions that can help you calculate the years between two dates. One of the most straightforward methods is to use the DATEDIF function. This function is designed to calculate the difference between two dates in years, months, or days, depending on the format you choose. To use the DATEDIF function, follow these steps:
1. Open your Excel workbook and select the cell where you want to display the result.
2. Enter the following formula: =DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, “Y”).
3. Replace “start_date” with the cell reference or date value of the starting date, and “end_date” with the cell reference or date value of the ending date.
For example, if you want to calculate the years between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2020, the formula would be: =DATEDIF(A1, A2, “Y”), assuming A1 contains the starting date and A2 contains the ending date.
Another method to calculate years between dates in Excel is by using the YEARFRAC function. This function returns the fraction of the year between two dates. To use the YEARFRAC function, follow these steps:
1. Open your Excel workbook and select the cell where you want to display the result.
2. Enter the following formula: =YEARFRAC(start_date, end_date).
3. Replace “start_date” with the cell reference or date value of the starting date, and “end_date” with the cell reference or date value of the ending date.
For example, if you want to calculate the years between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2020, the formula would be: =YEARFRAC(A1, A2), assuming A1 contains the starting date and A2 contains the ending date.
In addition to these functions, you can also create a custom formula to calculate years between dates in Excel. One such formula is the following:
1. Open your Excel workbook and select the cell where you want to display the result.
2. Enter the following formula: =INT((end_date – start_date) / 365).
3. Replace “start_date” with the cell reference or date value of the starting date, and “end_date” with the cell reference or date value of the ending date.
This formula calculates the number of years between two dates by dividing the difference in days by 365 and then using the INT function to remove any decimal places.
In conclusion, Excel years between dates can be calculated using various methods, including the DATEDIF, YEARFRAC, and custom formulas. Each method has its advantages and can be chosen based on the specific requirements of your task. By mastering these techniques, you can efficiently analyze date differences in your Excel workbooks and make informed decisions based on the data.
