Md. Abdur Rahim Rasel
The Excel WEEKNUM function helps users to determine the week number of a provided date efficiently. It enables users to extract and manipulate week numbers, managing data analysis and organization based on weeks. This function simplifies the process of tracking and reporting, ensuring effective utilization of data.
You can also call this function an Excel TIME and DATE function. In this article, we’ll get to learn various examples of how we can use this WEEKNUM function effectively in Excel with appropriate illustrations.
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Introduction to the WEEKNUM Function in Excel
- Function Objective
The WEEKNUM function is used to calculate the week number of a date.
- Syntax
=WEEKNUM(serial_number, [returns_type])
- Arguments Explanation
| Arguments | Required/Optional | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| serial_number | Required | Value from which to calculate the week number |
| returns_type | Optional | From which day the week begins |
The WEEKNUM function can be used in two different [returns_type] ways:
Way 1: Week 1 specifies the week which contains January 1st;
Way 2: Week 1 is the week that includes the first Thursday of the year.
| Returns_type | Week begins on | System |
|---|---|---|
| 1 or omitted | Sunday | 1 |
| 2 | Monday | 1 |
| 11 | Monday | 1 |
| 12 | Tuesday | 1 |
| 13 | Wednesday | 1 |
| 14 | Thursday | 1 |
| 15 | Friday | 1 |
| 16 | Saturday | 1 |
| 17 | Sunday | 1 |
| 21 | Monday | 2 |
How to Use Excel WEEKNUM Function: 5 Relative Examples
Let’s assume, we have a report on Project: Community Gardening in our hands. This dataset includes Flat, its corresponding holder Name, Start Date, End Date, and Points under columns B, C, D, E, and F respectively. Actually, it’s a housing society’s garden maintenance routine. Who will take care from when to when and their points/scores are also shown.
Now, we’ll utilize this dataset to show how to use the WEEKNUM function in Excel through multiple examples. So, let’s explore them one by one.
Not to mention, here, we have used the Microsoft Excel 365 version; you may use any other version according to your convenience. Please leave a comment if any part of this article does not work in your version.
1. Use Text as Argument of WEEKNUM Function to Calculate Week Number
The WEEKNUM function can take valid text as an argument. Here, by valid we mean that it has to be a date. Then, it’ll return the corresponding week number for this date in the output cell.
- First, in cell G5, enter the following formula and press ENTER.
=WEEKNUM("5-Jan-2023")Instantly, it returns 1 as it’s the first week of this year. We can easily understand that 5 of the first month of a year has the most possibility to be in the first week of a year.
- Now, bring the cursor to the right-bottom corner of cell G5 and it’ll look like a plus (+) sign. It’s the Fill Handle tool.
- Then, double-click on it to AutoFill in the remaining cells in Column G.
The following image provides the entire result.
Read More: How to Use the DATEDIF Function in Excel
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2. Use Cell Reference as Argument to Find Week Number in Excel
Here, we’ll achieve the same output but use the cell reference as an argument in the WEEKNUM function.
- First, write the following formula in cell G5 and press ENTER.
=WEEKNUM(D5)It confirms that this start date is in the first week of the year 2023.
3. Achieve Week Number in a Month Using Excel WEEKNUM Function
You can utilize the WEEKNUM, DATE, and MONTH functions if you want to convert a specific date to its corresponding week number within the month. You can use them in the following combination:
- The formula in cell G5 is the following.
=WEEKNUM(D5)-WEEKNUM(DATE(YEAR(D5),MONTH(D5),1))+1Formula Breakdown
- WEEKNUM(D5): This part calculates the week number for the date in cell D5. It determines the week number based on the default week numbering system in Excel.
- DATE(YEAR(D5),MONTH(D5),1): This constructs a new date using the year and month from the date in cell D5 and a day of 1. It represents the first day of the same month as the date in cell D5.
- WEEKNUM(DATE(YEAR(D5),MONTH(D5),1)): This calculates the week number for the constructed date from step 2. It determines the week number based on the default week numbering system in Excel.
- WEEKNUM(D5)-WEEKNUM(DATE(YEAR(D5),MONTH(D5),1)): This part subtracts the week number obtained in step 3 from the week number obtained in step 1. The purpose is to determine the difference in week numbers between the specific date in cell D5 and the first day of the same month.
- WEEKNUM(D5)-WEEKNUM(DATE(YEAR(D5),MONTH(D5),1))+1: This part adds 1 to the difference calculated in step 4. The purpose is to adjust the week number difference to account for the starting week.
4. Find Sum and Average by Week Number in Excel
We can also use week numbers for other types of calculations. Here, this dataset includes the Evaluation Date in extra from the previous dataset. We assumed this date when the performance of each person is being evaluated.
We opt to compute the sum of points as well as the average points in a week.
- To find the Week Number of the corresponding Evaluation Date, the formula in cell F5 is the following.
=WEEKNUM(D5)
- Now, detect the unique week numbers from Column F. The formula in cell B17 is like below.
=UNIQUE(F5:F14)The UNIQUE function returns a list of unique values in a range or in a list.
To calculate the sum of points in week 7, insert the following formula in cell C17.
=SUMIF($F$5:$F$14,B17,$E$5:$E$14)The SUMIF function adds the cells specified by a given condition or criteria.
From the above image, you can see that the sum of points for Week 7 is 160 (cell C17) which is equal to the summation of points in the E5:E7 range. Excel reduced manual labor efficiently.
- Again, input the following formula in cell D17 to get the Average Points for this month.
=AVERAGEIF($F$5:$F$14,B17,$E$5:$E$14)The AVERAGEIF function finds the average for the cells specified by a given condition or criteria.
5. Highlight Cells Based on Week Number Using WEEKNUM Function
We can also highlight cells based on week numbers. In this case, we can use the WEEKNUM and MOD functions.
Let’s say, we want to highlight rows in which Evaluation Date appears in an even week number.
Firstly, we calculated the Week Number using the WEEKNUM function in Column F.
=WEEKNUM(D5)
- Now, select cells in the B5:F14 range.
- Then, go to the Home tab >> Conditional Formatting on the Styles group >> New Rule.
It’ll open the New Formatting Rule dialog box.
- Click on Use a formula to determine which cells to format under the Select a Rule Type section.
- In the Format values where this formula is true: box, write the following formula.
=MOD(WEEKNUM($D5),2)=0- Click Format.
- In the Format Cells dialog box, go to the Fill tab.
- Select your desired color and click OK.
You can see a preview of the formatting here.
- Click OK.
Excel highlighted rows that have Evaluation Date in an even week number. For authentication, you can match with the value in Column F.
[Fixed!] WEEKNUM Is Not Working in Excel: Reason with Solution
Sometimes, we face errors while working with the WEEKNUM function. In the following image, we get #NUM! and #VALUE! errors. But why?
- If you look clearly, you can see that we used 18 as the return_type argument of this function which is not valid. That’s why Excel is returning this error.
- Change the formula in cell G5 to the following.
=WEEKNUM(D5,1)Now, it returns the correct output.
- Also, it gives us errors when we use invalid dates which is not possible in reality. Like, we used 29 Feb in the below image which cannot be possible in 2023. For this reason, it returned an error.
- Correct the formula in cell G7 and it becomes the following.
=WEEKNUM(“28-Feb-2023”)
The error is gone and the function is working correctly.
How to Find Week Range Using WEEKDAY & DATE Functions in Excel
From this information, we take another dataset. Here, we want to determine the Start Date and End Date of this corresponding Week in Column D.
See the dataset and inspect the differences from the previously shown dataset.
- We used the following formula in cell F5 to find the Start Date of Week.
=DATE(E5,1,-2)-WEEKDAY(DATE(E5,1,3))+D5*7Formula Breakdown
- DATE(E5, 1, -2): This part constructs a date using the year from cell E5, a month of 1 (January), and a day of -2. By using -2, it sets the date to the second-to-last day of the previous month (December of the specified year).
- WEEKDAY(DATE(E5, 1, 3)): The WEEKDAY function calculates the weekday number for the specified date, which is the 3rd day of January in the year specified in cell E5.
- DATE(E5,1,-2)-WEEKDAY(DATE(E5,1,3)): Then, it subtracts the weekday value (obtained in step 2) from the constructed date in step 1. The purpose is to obtain the date of the first day of the week that contains January 1st in the specified year.
- D5*7: This multiplies the value in cell D5 by 7, which represents the number of weeks. This calculates the total number of days to add to the date obtained in step 3.
- DATE(E5,1,-2)-WEEKDAY(DATE(E5,1,3))+D5*7: The date obtained in step 3 is added to the total number of days calculated in step 4. This results in the desired week’s date.
- Then, the formula (in cell G5) we used to find the End Date of Week is the following:
=DATE(E5,1,-2)-WEEKDAY(DATE(E5,1,3))+D5*7+6
How to Compute Week Numbers Between Two Dates in Excel
We have learned how to find the week number of a given date in Excel. However, is it possible to determine the number of weeks between the two dates?
=(E5-D5)/7We divided the difference by 7 as there are 7 days in a week.
How to Determine Fractional Number of Weeks in Excel
In the previous section, we achieved the number of weeks between two dates in decimal format. But how can we get it in fractional format?
- Insert the same formula in cell F5 as the previous example.
- Then, select cells in the F5:F14 range and press CTRL + 1 on your keyboard.
- Now, select Number >> Fraction >> As quarters (2/4).
- Click OK.
See the output in the fractional format in the image below.
How to Obtain Month from Given Week Number in Excel
Previously, we learned to obtain a week number from a specific date. In this part, we’ll show you how you can obtain a month name from a given week number in Excel.
- Let’s put the formula in cell F5 to get the result like the image below.
=TEXT(DATE($E5,1,1)+($D5-1)*7,"mmm")The TEXT function returns a numeric value in a specified format.
Formula Breakdown
- DATE($E5, 1, 1): This part constructs a date using the year from cell E5, a month of 1 (January), and a day of 1. This creates the first day of the specified year.
- ($D5-1)*7: Here, the value in cell D5 (week number) is subtracted by 1 and then multiplied by 7. This calculates the number of days to add to the first day of the year to reach the desired week.
- The result of step 2 is added to the date obtained in step 1. This provides the date of the desired week.
- TEXT(…, “mmm”): The final step involves formatting the resulting date as an abbreviated month name. The TEXT function is used to convert the date into the desired format.
Read More: How to Use Excel EDATE Function
Things to Remember
- #VALUE! error happens when we use non-numeric data or data is not a valid date.
- #NUM! error happens when the function does not permit the value and data is out of range though numeric.
- Ensure that the dates you provide to the WEEKNUM function are in a valid format recognized by Excel, such as proper date values or valid date serial numbers.
- Take note of any cultural or regional differences in week numbering systems when using the WEEKNUM function, as different countries may have variations in their week numbering conventions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use the WEEKNUM function in combination with other functions or formulas?
Yes, the WEEKNUM function can be combined with other functions and formulas in Excel to perform various calculations and analyses based on week numbers.
2. Can I adjust the WEEKNUM function to consider Monday as the first day of the week?
Yes, you can modify the WEEKNUM function to consider Monday as the first day of the week by adding an optional second argument with a value of 2.
3. Can the WEEKNUM function handle dates from different years?
Yes, the WEEKNUM function can handle dates from different years. It accurately calculates the week number based on the specified date, regardless of the year transition.
4. Does the WEEKNUM function consider leap years when calculating week numbers?
Yes, the WEEKNUM function accounts for leap years and adjusts the week numbers accordingly based on an additional day in a leap year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Excel WEEKNUM function is a useful tool for working with week numbers in Excel. It allows you to determine the week number of a given date based on different methods.
This can be helpful in various scenarios, such as organizing and analyzing data based on weeks or calculating time durations in weeks. This function proves to be valuable for various data analysis and time-tracking tasks in Excel.
I hope all of the suitable methods mentioned above to use the WEEKNUM function will now provoke you to apply them in your Excel spreadsheets with more productivity. You are most welcome to comment if you have any questions or queries.
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