How to Add 3 Months to a Date in Excel (4 Easy Methods)

To demonstrate how to add months to a date in Excel, we’ll use the following dataset representing a subscription, where column B shows the subscription start date and column C the expiry date.

We used Microsoft Excel 365 in this article, but you can use any other version that is convenient for you.

Method 1 – Using the EDATE Function

The EDATE function returns the serial number for a specified date. Before using it, we’ll need to format the columns in Date format.

Steps:

Select columns B and C.

In the Home tab, tap the Dropdown box next to General.

Click Date.
Choose any Date format.
Click OK.

Go to cell D5.
Enter the following EDATE formula:

=EDATE(C5,D5)

Press Enter.

Use the Fill Handle to copy the formula to the cells below.

Here is the result:

Method 2 – Using Excel Date Functions

We can combine some Excel Date functions to perform the task. Here, the DATE function takes numeric values in its arguments and gives out a date. 3 arguments are required for the Date function – year, month, and day. The YEAR function returns the year in a 4-digit number. Similarly, the DAY function returns the day from a cell reference, and the MONTH function returns the precise month number. As we want to add 3 months to the date, we’ll add 3 with the month parameter.

Steps:

Enter the following formula in cell D5:

=DATE(YEAR(B5),MONTH(B5)+3,DAY(B5))

Use the Fill Handle to copy the formula to the cells below.

Method 3 – Using the Fill Series Feature

The Fill Series Feature fills a series based on the sequence of the previous data.

Steps:

Select the range D5:D9.

Navigate to Home > Editing > Fill > Series.

A Series box will pop up.

Select Columns > Date > Month.
Enter 3 in the Step value box.
Click OK.

The Fill Series Function will autofill the results.

Method 4 – Using VBA Code

We can also apply the DateADD function to update the date using VBA code. Let’s add 3 months to the date in the dataset below.

Steps:

Press Alt+F11 to open the VBA window.
Press Insert and then click Module.

A module box will pop up.

Enter the following code in that box:

Sub AddMonths()
Dim StartDate As Date
Dim AddingMonths As String
Dim mNumber As Integer
Dim Message As String
AddingMonths = "m"
StartDate = InputBox("Insert the Starting Date")
mNumber = InputBox("Insert Number of Adding Months")
Message = "Updated Date: " & DateAdd(AddingMonths, mNumber, StartDate)
MsgBox Message
End Sub