5 Simple Ways To Calculate Months Between Two Dates In Excel

Calculating the number of months between two dates in Excel can be a crucial task for project management, financial analysis, or personal planning. Whether you're tracking deadlines, calculating age, or figuring out the duration of a subscription, knowing how to effectively use Excel to get the answer can save you time and minimize errors. Let's dive into five straightforward methods you can use to calculate months between two dates in Excel. 🎉

Method 1: Using the DATEDIF Function

One of the most efficient ways to calculate the months between two dates is through the DATEDIF function. This function isn’t as well-known as others, but it’s powerful for calculating differences between dates.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open your Excel sheet and input the two dates in separate cells. For example:
   • A1: 2022-01-01
   • B1: 2023-01-01
2. In cell C1, enter the following formula:

   =DATEDIF(A1, B1, "m")
   

3. Press Enter. The result will show you the number of whole months between the two dates.

Important Notes: <p class="pro-note">This function will not return the number of months if the start date is greater than the end date, so always check your date inputs!</p>

Method 2: Using YEAR and MONTH Functions

If you prefer a more manual approach, you can use the YEAR and MONTH functions to find the difference in months.

Steps:

1. Set your two dates in A1 and B1 as before.
2. In cell C1, enter the formula:

   =(YEAR(B1) - YEAR(A1)) * 12 + (MONTH(B1) - MONTH(A1))
   

3. Hit Enter, and you’ll see the total months calculated.

Important Notes: <p class="pro-note">This method takes into account the year differences and converts it into months before adding any extra months from the same year. This is handy for greater accuracy.</p>

Method 3: Using the EDATE Function

The EDATE function allows you to add months to a specific date, making it useful for determining the number of months between two dates.

Follow these steps:

1. With your dates in A1 and B1, in cell C1, you can find the total months by:

   =DATEDIF(A1, EDATE(A1, 12), "m")
   

   Here, adjust the number 12 as per the difference you want.
2. Press Enter to see the result.

Important Notes: <p class="pro-note">Be mindful that this function might add extra months based on the date format; it's ideal for precise monthly calculations.</p>

Method 4: Using NetworkDays Function

While this function primarily calculates working days, it can indirectly help estimate the months between dates.

Steps:

1. Ensure you have A1 and B1 filled with your dates.
2. In cell C1, type:

   =NETWORKDAYS(A1, B1)
   

3. Divide the output by an approximate number of days per month (e.g., 30) to get the month estimate:

   =NETWORKDAYS(A1, B1)/30
   

Important Notes: <p class="pro-note">This is a rough estimate and is great if you need a quick idea of the months based on working days!</p>

Method 5: Using Custom Formulas

If none of the above methods suits your needs, creating a custom formula can be a viable option. This might be more complex, but it allows for flexibility in calculations.

Here’s how:

1. Put your two dates in A1 and B1.
2. In cell C1, you can try a formula like:

   =IF(A1

3. Press Enter to see the calculated months.