5 Excel Formulas To Get The First Day Of The Month

When working with Excel, date calculations are an essential part of data management and analysis. One common task is identifying the first day of the month for a given date. Whether you're preparing reports, analyzing trends, or managing data, knowing how to quickly derive the first day of the month can save you a lot of time and effort. In this post, we’ll dive into five Excel formulas that can help you achieve just that. Get ready to transform your Excel skills! 📊

Understanding Date Functions in Excel

Excel has a rich library of functions designed to manipulate and analyze dates. Before we start with the formulas, it’s crucial to grasp how Excel handles dates. In Excel, dates are stored as serial numbers. For example, January 1, 1900, is represented as 1, and January 1, 2023, is represented as 44927. This unique approach enables you to perform calculations easily.

1. Using the EOMONTH Function

One of the most efficient ways to get the first day of the month is by using the EOMONTH function. This function returns the last day of the month, and we can easily derive the first day from it.

Formula:

=EOMONTH(A1, -1) + 1

Explanation:

• A1: This cell contains the date you are referencing.
• EOMONTH(A1, -1) gives you the last day of the previous month.
• Adding 1 to it gives you the first day of the current month.

Example:

If A1 contains "2023-07-15", the formula will return "2023-07-01".

2. Using the DATE Function

Another straightforward method is leveraging the DATE function combined with YEAR and MONTH functions. This approach allows you to construct a date from its components.

Formula:

=DATE(YEAR(A1), MONTH(A1), 1)

Explanation:

• YEAR(A1) extracts the year from the date in A1.
• MONTH(A1) extracts the month from the date.
• Setting the day to 1 gives you the first day of that month.

Example:

For A1 as "2023-09-20", the formula yields "2023-09-01".

3. Using the TEXT Function

If you want to output the first day of the month in a specific date format, the TEXT function can be helpful.

Formula:

=TEXT(DATE(YEAR(A1), MONTH(A1), 1), "dd/mm/yyyy")

Explanation:

This formula is similar to the previous one, but it formats the output date.

Example:

If A1 contains "2023-11-15", the output will be "01/11/2023".

4. Using the DAY Function with Today’s Date

If you're looking for a quick way to find the first day of the current month based on today’s date, you can also use a combination of TODAY() and DAY() functions.

Formula:

=TODAY() - DAY(TODAY()) + 1

Explanation:

• TODAY() returns the current date.
• DAY(TODAY()) gives the current day of the month.
• Subtracting it from TODAY() and adding 1 gives the first day of the month.

Example:

If today is "2023-12-15", the formula will result in "2023-12-01".

5. Using an Array Formula

For those comfortable with more advanced techniques, you can use array formulas to achieve this as well.

Formula:

=IF(A1<>"", DATE(YEAR(A1), MONTH(A1), 1), "")

Explanation:

This formula checks if A1 is not empty and then uses the DATE function to return the first day of the month. If A1 is empty, it simply returns an empty string.

Example:

For A1 as "2023-05-10", it will return "2023-05-01".

Tips for Using Date Formulas Effectively

• Always Format Cells: Make sure to format your cell as a date to see the output correctly. Select the cell, right-click, choose “Format Cells,” and then select the date format you prefer.
• Combine with Other Functions: Feel free to combine these date formulas with other functions for more comprehensive analyses, such as conditional formatting or filtering based on dates.
• Check for Errors: If the formula doesn't seem to return the expected result, double-check that your input cell has a valid date.

Troubleshooting Common Mistakes

• Incorrect Formatting: Ensure that the input cell (like A1) is in a recognized date format; otherwise, Excel might treat it as text.
• Array Formula Issues: If you're using an array formula, remember to press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER instead of just ENTER to properly execute it.
• Using Incorrect Cell References: Always verify your cell references to ensure they point to the correct date.

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How do I ensure my date formats are correct?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>To ensure correct date formats, select the cell, right-click, and choose "Format Cells." Under the Date category, pick the format you want.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I get the first day of the month for multiple dates at once?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes! You can drag the fill handle to apply the formula to multiple cells or use array formulas to get results for a range of dates.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Why is my result showing as a serial number instead of a date?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>This occurs when the cell format is set to General. Right-click on the cell, select "Format Cells," and choose Date to resolve it.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

By implementing these formulas, you'll find it easier to retrieve the first day of any month in Excel. With a little practice, these techniques will become second nature. As you continue to explore more advanced Excel functionalities, don't hesitate to try out additional tutorials that expand your knowledge.

<p class="pro-note">📌Pro Tip: Always keep experimenting with different functions in Excel; practice makes perfect!</p>