Excel Formula to Count Days from Date to Today. In Microsoft Excel, you can easily calculate the number of days between a specific date and today using various methods. This can be useful for tracking deadlines, monitoring project progress, or simply staying organized.
In this guide, we will explore several methods to apply an Excel formula to count the days from a given date to today. Whether you are a beginner or an Excel pro, you will find a method that suits your needs.
Methods of Applying Excel Formula to Count Days From Date to Today
1. Simple Subtraction Formula
This is the most straightforward method to calculate the number of days between a specific date and today.
Steps to follow:
- Write the under-mentioned formula in cell D2.
=C2-B2
- Last, press the ENTER key.
- The number of days between the first person’s time of joining and today will be shown.
- Then, drag the Fill Handle tool from cell D2 to D5 down.
- And finally, you will get the number of days for each person in the set.
2. DATEDIF Function
The DATEDIF function provides a more precise way to calculate the difference between two dates in various units, including days.
DATEIF Function Syntax:
=DATEDIF (start_date, end_date, unit)
Steps to follow:
- Here is the formula where C2 is the date of the present day, and B2 is the date of joining. “d” also stands for days or full days.
=DATEIF(C2,D2, "d")
- Type the formula into a space that is not already filled in, then press ENTER.
- After that, you can see the number of days from the date to today.
- Move the Fill Handle tool from cell D2 to cell D5 and drag it down.
- Finally, the picture displays the number of days that have passed since the data set’s starting date and the present day.
3. TODAY Function
You can always use the TODAY method to get the current date if you don’t want to make a new cell. This method gives back the current date, which is always up-to-date if the data set is opened or changed. The TODAY function does not hold any variables.
Steps to follow:
- Pick out a blank cell, like D2, to use the function in our data set.
- Then, type in the following method to find out how many days it has been since a worker started. In this case, B2 is the employee’s start date.
=TODAY()-B2
- After that, press “Enter.”
- You will see how many days have passed since the first person joined and now.
- Move the Fill Handle tool from cell E5 to cell E13 and drag it down.
- And finally, you will obtain the number of days for each person in the set.
4. Conditional Formatting
Conditional formatting is a visual method to highlight the number of days between a date and today.
Steps to follow:
- Select the cell with the date.
- Go to the “Home” tab.
- Tap on “Conditional Formatting,” and select “New Rule.”
- Create a rule like “Use a formula to determine which cells to format” and enter a formula that compares the date in the cell to TODAY(), then set the desired formatting.
5. Power Query
Power Query is one of the best tools for business data, and users don’t need to learn any special code to use it.
The free add-in first came out in MS Excel 2010 and 2013, and you can use it with Excel 2010. It has been fully built into Excel 2016.
Steps to follow:
- First, pick the range A1–D13 > From Table (found in the Data tab) > Make a Table > Click “OK.”
- Add a Column > Press the CTRL key > Check the boxes next to Joining Date and Today. Press Date > Take Away Days.
- Click on the Home tab followed by Close and Load and Close and Load to.
- In the Import Data box, choose Table and New Worksheet. Then press the OK button.
- This is the last result you will get.
- Go to “Add Column > Custom Column”
- Add “New column name” and write formula for “Custom column formula” =[TODAY]-[DOJ]
- Click on “OK” to add a new custom column for days count.
- Right click on “Custom” to convert date format to number.
- Go to “Home > Close & Load” to final output.
Also See: Age Calculator
Conclusion
Counting the number of days between a specific date and today in Excel is a common task with various methods at your disposal. You can choose the method that best suits your needs and the level of precision required.
Whether you prefer simple subtraction, DATEDIF, NETWORKDAYS, or conditional formatting, Excel provides versatile tools to help you stay organized and make informed decisions based on time-related data.
