In this article, we’re going to show you 5 methods of how to change Date format in Excel Using formula. Our sample dataset contains data of 6 people. It has 3 columns: Name, DOB, and Format. Our aim is to change the format using the Excel formula.
Download Practice Workbook
5 Ways to Change Date Format in Excel Using Formula
1. Change Date Format in Excel Using the TEXT Function
In this method, we’ll use the TEXT function to format Date in Excel. We’re going to format each cell in a unique format. Let’s jump into the action.
Steps:
- Firstly, type the following formula in cell D5.
=TEXT(C5,"mm/dd/yyyy")
Here, we’re converting the date value into a text value using the TEXT function. For the format, we’re providing the “mm/dd/yyyy” part. That is, two-digit for months, dates, and four-digit for years.
- Finally, press ENTER.
Our date will convert to our predefined format.
Now, we can format the cells in other ways too. The formula is shown on the right side for each of the date formats.
Read More: How to Convert Text to Date with Excel VBA (5 Ways)
2. Applying Combined Functions to Change Date Format in Excel
We’re going to use the DATE function, the LEFT function, the MID function, and the RIGHT function to change the date format in Excel in this method. Notice, our first two values are in number format (right alignment) and the other four values are in text format (left alignment).
At first, we’re going to change the date format for the first two values.
Steps:
- Type the following formula in cell D5.
=DATE(LEFT(C5,4),MID(C5,5,2),RIGHT(C5,2))
The LEFT, MID, and RIGHT functions extract data from a cell. Our initial cell value was 19820321. Outputs will be like these:
- LEFT(C5,4) >>> 1982 [First 4 values from left side].
- MID(C5,5,2) >>> 03 [First 2 values from position 5].
- RIGHT(C5,2) >>> 21 [First 2 values from right side].
Then, our formula will become, DATE(1982,03,21). The format is DATE(YEAR,MONTH,DATE). Thus, we have changed our date into another format.
- Finally, use the Fill Handle to AutoFill the formula into cell D6.
Now, we’ll format the next 4 cells.
- Firstly, type the formula from below to cell D7.
=DATE(RIGHT(C7,4),MID(C7,4,2),LEFT(C7,2))
- Secondly, press ENTER.
Our, formula is slightly changed in this case. Notice the original date format, “dd.mm.yyyy”. If you didn’t understand, this formula was explained above, please go through it again.
- Finally, use the Fill Handle to AutoFill the formula down.
In conclusion, we’ve changed the date formats using a formula. This is what the final step should look like.
Related Content: Fix Excel Date Not Formatting Correctly (8 Quick Solutions)
3. Utilizing the SUBSTITUTE and DATE Function to Change Date Format in Excel
The SUBSTITUTE function and the DATE function will be used here to change the date format. Our dates are in text format.
Steps:
- Type the following formula in cell D5.
=DATE(YEAR(SUBSTITUTE(C5,".","-")),MONTH(SUBSTITUTE(C5,".","-")),DAY(SUBSTITUTE(C5,".","-")))
Notice, we’ve SUBSTITUTE(C5,”.”,”-“) three times in our formula. This is used to replace dot “.” with a dash “–”. In order to make the text format into a date format, this needs to be done. The DATE function will convert it into the date format, else we may get serial numbers instead.
- Secondly, press ENTER.
- Finally, use the Fill Handle to apply the formula to other cells.
Thus, we change the date format using the SUBSTITUTE and DATE functions.
Related Content: How to Convert a Date to dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm:ss Format in Excel
Similar Readings:
- How to Get First Day of Month from Month Name in Excel (3 Ways)
- Get Last Day of Previous Month in Excel (3 Methods)
- How to Convert 7 Digit Julian Date to Calendar Date in Excel (3 Ways)
- Stop Excel from Auto Formatting Dates in CSV (3 Methods)
- Last Business Day of the Month in Excel (9 Examples)
4. Change Date Format in Excel by Applying the CONCATENATE and DAY Functions
We’re going to use the CONCATENATE function, the DAY function, the MONTH function, and the YEAR function to change the date format. Let’s start.
Steps:
- Firstly, type the formula from below in cell D5.
=CONCATENATE(DAY(C5),"/",MONTH(C5),"/",YEAR(C5))
In this case, we’re taking the day, month, and year values from cell C5 and attaching them with a forward slash “/” to change our date format.
- Secondly, press ENTER.
Our date will be changed into “dd/mm/yyyy” format.
- Finally, use Fill Handle to use that formula up to cell D10.
So, we’ve used the CONCATENATE function to change the date formats.
Read More: Excel Formula for Current Month and Year (3 Examples)
5. Using the Ampersand and DAY Function to Change Date Format in Excel
In this case, we’re going to use the Ampersand and the DAY, MONTH, YEAR functions to change the date format in Excel. Notice, this time, we’ve our dates in serial number format.
Steps:
- Firstly, type the following formula in cell D5.
=MONTH(C5)&"."&DAY(C5)&"."&YEAR(C5)
We’re joining the cells with a dot (“.”) using the Ampersand. Moreover, we’ve chosen to keep the date format in “m.d.yyyy” as a text format (left alignment).
- Secondly, press ENTER.
- Finally, use the Fill Handle to use the formula in the below cells.
Our goal of changing the date format using a formula is complete.
Read More: How to Convert Date to Day of Week in Excel (8 Methods)
Practice Section
We’ve provided a practice dataset for your convenience in the Excel file. You can try out those and follow along with our step-by-step guide.
Conclusion
We’ve shown you 5 methods to change the date format in Excel using formula. If you face any problems regarding this article, feel free to comment below. Thanks for reading, keep excelling!