How to Subtract Dates to Get Years in Excel

This is the sample dataset.

how to subtract dates in excel to get years

Method 1 – Using the DATEDIF Function to Subtract Dates to Get Years

The DATEDIF Function calculates the number of days between two dates. If an additional option Y is provided, the DATEDIF returns the number of years.

STEPS:

Enter the formula in D5:

=DATEDIF(C5,B5,"y")

Press ENTER to see the result: 6.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Method 2 – Using a Simple Formula to Find Years by Subtracting Dates

Use the INT and the ROUND functions.

2.1 Apply the INT Function

The Excel INT function takes a decimal number and rounds it to the nearest integer.

STEPS:

Enter the formula in D5:

=INT((B5-C5)/365)

Press ENTER to see the result: 6.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

2.2 Utilize ROUND Function

The ROUND function returns a rounded value.

STEPS:

Enter the formula in D5:

=ROUND((B5-C5)/365,0)

Press ENTER to see the result: 6.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

3. Using the YEAR Function to Subtract Dates and Obtain Years

The YEAR Function returns a 4-digit value representing a date.

STEPS:

Enter the formula in D5:

=YEAR(B5)-YEAR(C5)

Press ENTER to see the result: 6.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Method 4 – Combining the INT and the YEARFRAC Functions

The YEARFRAC function estimates the fraction of a year between two dates.

STEPS:

Enter the formula in D5:

=INT(YEARFRAC(C5,B5))

Press ENTER to see the result: 6.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Method 5 – Subtracting Dates by combining the ROUND and YEARFRAC in Excel

STEPS:

Enter the formula in D5:

=ROUND(YEARFRAC(C5,B5),0)

Press ENTER to see the result: 6.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Method 6 – Using the LET and the YEAR Functions

STEPS:

Enter the formula in D5:

=LET(sDate,YEAR(C5),eDate,YEAR(B5),eDate-sDate)

Press ENTER to see the result: 6.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Method 7 – Subtracting Dates to Obtain Years with Excel VBA

STEPS:

Select the active sheet.
In Developer, choose Visual Basic.

Click Insert and select Module.

Enter the code below into the Module Box.

Sub YearsBetweenTwoDatesSofteko()
Dim StartDate As Date
Dim EndDate As Date
Dim yearDif As Integer
For i = 5 To 10
StartDate = Cells(i, 3).Value
EndDate = Cells(i, 2).Value
yearDif = DateDiff("yyyy", StartDate, EndDate)
Cells(i, 4).Value = yearDif
Next
End Sub