7 Simple Ways To Get Weekday Names From Dates In Google Sheets

Getting weekday names from dates in Google Sheets can be an essential skill, especially when you're organizing schedules, planning events, or analyzing data. It’s quite handy to know how to automatically retrieve the weekday name for a specific date without having to convert or do calculations manually. Let’s explore seven simple ways to accomplish this, with tips, common mistakes to avoid, and troubleshooting methods to streamline your process. 📅✨

1. Use the TEXT Function

The TEXT function in Google Sheets is a straightforward way to display the day of the week from a date. Here’s how to do it:

Steps:

1. Select the cell where you want the weekday name to appear.
2. Enter the formula:

   =TEXT(A1, "dddd")
   

   Here, A1 is the cell containing the date.

Explanation:

• dddd returns the full name of the day (e.g., "Monday").
• If you want the abbreviated version (e.g., "Mon"), use ddd.

Example:

If cell A1 has the date 10/31/2023, the formula will output "Tuesday".

2. Using the WEEKDAY Function

The WEEKDAY function can return a numeric representation of the day. You can then map these numbers to their corresponding weekday names.

Steps:

1. Enter the formula in a new cell:

   =WEEKDAY(A1)
   

Explanation:

• By default, the function returns 1 for Sunday, 2 for Monday, up to 7 for Saturday.

Convert Numbers to Names:

You can use the CHOOSE function alongside WEEKDAY for named days:

=CHOOSE(WEEKDAY(A1), "Sunday", "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday")

Example:

For 10/31/2023, this will return "Tuesday".

3. Custom Formatting

Another nifty way to display weekdays directly from your date is through custom formatting.

Steps:

1. Select the date cell (e.g., A1).
2. Go to Format > Number > More Formats > Custom Number Format.
3. Enter dddd.

Explanation:

This method formats the date itself to show only the weekday name.

Note:

The underlying date remains unchanged; it’s just how it’s displayed.

4. Array Formula for Multiple Dates

If you have a range of dates and want to apply the weekday function to all of them, an ARRAYFORMULA can be a time-saver.

Steps:

1. In an empty cell, enter:

   =ARRAYFORMULA(TEXT(A1:A10, "dddd"))
   

Explanation:

• This formula processes each date in the range A1:A10 and returns the weekday for each date.

5. Combine with IF to Create Conditional Outputs

You might want to have specific outputs based on certain days. For instance, if the date falls on a weekend, return "Weekend," otherwise return the day name.

Steps:

1. Use the formula:

   =IF(WEEKDAY(A1) = 1, "Weekend", TEXT(A1, "dddd"))
   

Example:

For a date that falls on a Sunday, this will return "Weekend"; otherwise, it will show the day name.

6. Use Google Sheets Add-ons

If you find that you regularly need to manipulate dates in complex ways, consider using Google Sheets add-ons designed for data manipulation.

Steps:

1. Go to Extensions > Add-ons > Get add-ons.
2. Search for and install a date-related add-on.

Note:

These add-ons often provide more advanced features like batch processing and complex date calculations.

7. Shortcuts for Quick Reference

For those who may frequently need to reference weekdays from dates, creating a small reference table could be useful.

Example Table:

<table> <tr> <th>Day Number</th> <th>Weekday Name</th> </tr> <tr> <td>1</td> <td>Sunday</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2</td> <td>Monday</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3</td> <td>Tuesday</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4</td> <td>Wednesday</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5</td> <td>Thursday</td> </tr> <tr> <td>6</td> <td>Friday</td> </tr> <tr> <td>7</td> <td>Saturday</td> </tr> </table>

Tip:

You can always use =VLOOKUP() to cross-reference this table with your dates!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect Cell References: Double-check your cell references to avoid errors in your formulas.
2. Date Format: Ensure your dates are properly formatted as date types and not text. If they are text, convert them using DATEVALUE().
3. Using Non-Existent Dates: Be wary of dates that don’t exist (like 02/30); they will lead to errors in calculations.
4. Spelling Errors: When using string values in formulas, make sure spelling is accurate, including capitalizations!

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your formulas:

• Check Formatting: Ensure your date cells are formatted as dates.
• Review Formula Syntax: Verify that parentheses and commas are placed correctly.
• Test with Simple Data: Simplify your data to isolate the problem if a complex formula doesn’t seem to work.

<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 get the abbreviated weekday name?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Use the formula =TEXT(A1, "ddd") for the three-letter abbreviation.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What if my date is in text format?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Convert it to a date format using =DATEVALUE(A1) first.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I automate this for multiple rows?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, use =ARRAYFORMULA(TEXT(A1:A10, "dddd")) to process multiple dates at once.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Is there a way to show "Weekend" for Saturdays and Sundays?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, use this formula: =IF(WEEKDAY(A1) = 1, "Weekend", IF(WEEKDAY(A1) = 7, "Weekend", TEXT(A1, "dddd"))).</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

As we’ve explored, there are numerous ways to extract weekday names from dates in Google Sheets. Each method has its unique advantages, so feel free to use the one that fits your needs best! By employing these techniques, you can significantly enhance your productivity and make data analysis easier. Don’t forget to try these formulas out for yourself and explore further tutorials on Google Sheets to master even more features.

<p class="pro-note">🌟Pro Tip: Always keep your data organized and well-formatted to prevent errors in your calculations!</p>