How to Use the DATEVALUE Function in Excel

Summary: Explore the capabilities of the DATEVALUE function in Microsoft Excel—an essential tool for converting a date text into a valid Excel date value. In this tutorial, curated for data analysts with a passion for technology, delve into step-by-step instructions to seamlessly integrate the DATEVALUE function into your data analysis toolkit.

The DATEVALUE function within Excel empowers you to convert text that represents a date into a numerical date value, facilitating calculations and analysis. To harness the potential of this function, follow these comprehensive steps:

1. Open Excel: Launch Microsoft Excel on your computer.

2. Select a Cell: Choose the cell where you want to display the converted date value using the DATEVALUE function.

3. Enter the Formula: Input the following formula into the selected cell:

   =DATEVALUE(date_text)

   Replace "date_text" with the text representation of the date you want to convert.

4. Press Enter: After entering the formula, press the Enter key to execute the function. The cell will display the numerical date value corresponding to the converted date text.

5. Example: Suppose you want to convert the date text "2023-08-09" into a numerical date value. Use this formula:

   =DATEVALUE("2023-08-09")

6. View Converted Date Value: The cell will now display the numerical date value associated with the converted date text.

Summary: By mastering the DATEVALUE function in Excel, you can effortlessly convert date text into numerical date values for enhanced calculations and analysis. By following the systematic instructions outlined in this tutorial, you can adeptly incorporate this function into your data analysis endeavors.

Feel free to ask questions or share your thoughts, fostering further exploration of this topic.

Note: The DATEVALUE function is accessible in various versions of Microsoft Excel, including Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, and Microsoft 365.