How to Truncate Dates in Excel (4 Methods)

Method 1 – Using INT Function

Background

  • The INT function treats date/timestamp data as integers and decimals (date as integer & time as decimal/fractions).
  • It rounds down decimal values to the nearest integer fraction and returns an integer value.

Steps

  • In cell D5, insert the formula:
=B5-INT(B5)
  • Press Enter.

Truncate Date Using INT Function in Excel

  • This truncates the date, leaving only the time value in cell D5.
  • Autofill the formula down to D9.

How does the formula work?

  • Here, INT(B5) takes the date values as integers and time as fractions and returns only the date as integers.
  • Later, we subtract it from B5 and get only the decimal portion which shows the time value only.

Read More: How to Truncate Text from Left in Excel


Method 2 – Custom Formatting to Exclude Date

Background

  • The dataset in column B is in the format dd:mm:yy hh:mm.
  • We’ll customize it to hh:mm AM/PM format to remove the dates.

Steps

  • Select the range D5:D9 containing date-time data.

Apply Custom Formatting to Exclude Date

  • Right-click and choose Format Cells.

  • In the Format Cells dialog, go to Number > Time and select a desired time format.
  • Click OK.

  • The dates are now truncated.

Read More: How to Truncate Text in Excel


Method 3 – Excel TRUNC Function

Background

    • The TRUNC function truncates the decimal portion of a number, returning an integer value.
    • We’ll use it to remove the date from the date-time value.

Steps

  • In cell D5, enter the formula:
=B5-TRUNC(B5)
  • Press Enter.

Insert Excel TRUNC Function for Removing Date

  • Autofill the formula down the column.
  • This gives us the truncated time values.

How does the formula work?

  • In this formula, TRUNC(B5) sees the date-time as integer and decimal values. It breaks them down and truncates the decimal and returns only integer values.
  • Secondly, we subtract it from B5 and get only the decimal portion which shows the time value only.

Read More: How to Truncate Text from Right in Excel


Method 4 – Truncate Date Using Excel VBA

Background

  • We’ll use a simple VBA code to remove dates from our dataset.

Steps

  • Go to the Developer tab and open the Visual Basic window.
  • Click Insert > Module to create a module.

Truncate Date Through Excel VBA

  • In the module, insert the following code:
Sub Truncate_Date()
With Range("D5")
    .Value = TimeValue(.Value)
    .NumberFormat = "hh:mm:ss AM/PM"
End With
End Sub
  • Press Run to execute the code.

  • The date is removed, and we get the desired time format in cell D5.

  • Autofill the remaining cells.


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Yousuf Khan
Yousuf Khan

Yousuf Khan has been working with the ExcelDemy project for over one year. He has written 47+ articles for the ExcelDemy site. He also solved a lot of user problems with ExcelDemy Forum. He has interests in Excel & VBA, Desktop and mobile applications, and projects & templates. He completed his graduation and post-graduation in Information Technology from Jahangirnagar University. Currently, he works as a VBA & Excel Content Developer in ExcelDemy projects, writing unique and informative content... Read Full Bio

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