Formulas > =EDATE()

How To Use EDATE() Function in Google Sheets

Description

Returns a date a specified number of months before or after another date.

What are the common questions about the EDATE formula?
  • How does the formula work? Enter a date and the months before or after.
  • What is the syntax of the formula? EDATE(start_date, months)
  • Can the formula be used to calculate dates in the past or future? Yes
  • Can the formula handle leap years? Yes
  • What is the maximum number of months that can be added or subtracted using the formula? There is no known limit
  • Can the formula handle non-standard date formats? Your dates must be structured appropriately.

How can the EDATE formula be used appropriately?
The EDATE formula can be used appropriately by following the correct syntax and specifying the input parameters in the correct order. The formula can be used to calculate due dates, maturity dates, expiration dates, and other dates based on a specific number of months in the future or past.

How can the EDATE formula be commonly mistyped?
The EDATE formula can be mistyped by using incorrect syntax or input parameters. For example, the formula may not work if the cell references are not correct or if the number of months is not entered as a valid number.

Also the EDATE formula can be mistyped as EDITE, or EDTE, or DATE, or EDATES, or EDITES, or EDUTE, or DATEE, or DATEAFTER or BEFOREDATE, or "E DATE".

What are some common ways the EDATE formula is used inappropriately?
The EDATE formula may be used inappropriately if it is used to calculate dates based on an incorrect number of months or if the formula is not applied consistently across a range of cells. Additionally, the formula may not be appropriate if the date range spans multiple eons or if the date format is not standard.

What are some common pitfalls when using the EDATE formula?
Some common pitfalls when using the EDATE formula include:
  • Incorrect syntax or input parameters
  • Not using the formula consistently across a range of cells
  • Not accounting for leap years or non-standard date formats
  • Not specifying the date range correctly

What are common mistakes when using the EDATE Formula?
Common mistakes when using the EDATE formula include:
Entering the number of months as a text value instead of a numeric value
Not using the correct cell references for the input parameters
Using the formula on a range of cells with different date formats

What are common misconceptions people might have with the EDATE Formula?
One common misconception about the EDATE formula is that it can be used to calculate dates based on a specific day of the month (e.g., the 15th of each month). The EDATE formula only calculates dates based on a specific number of months in the future or past, so it cannot be used to calculate dates based on a specific day of the month. Another misconception is that the formula can handle non-standard date formats, but this is not always the case. It is important to use the correct date format when using the EDATE formula.

How To Actually Use EDATE() in Sheets

EDATE(start_date, months)

1Better Sheets Tutorial

Member Ben asks how to add 1 month to a date.

Learn more about the EDATE() formula:

How to use the EDATE function to add or subtract months in Sheets

The EDATE function takes a starting date and a number of months as its input. It then increments (or decrements) the date by the number of months you specify. Learn how to use it correctly, as dates require special care when used in formulas. They don't behave as regular numbers do in spreadsheets.

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