When using DATE, the most common questions involve errors, unexpected results, and filling the formula across cells; this section answers 3 common questions and explains key terms.
FAQ
Why does DATE return #VALUE!?
- Check whether the year, month, and day arguments are numeric.
- Make sure there are no extra spaces or text values in the arguments.
- If the arguments come from other cells, clean the original data and calculate again.
Why is the DATE result different from what I expected?
- Check whether the referenced cells are correct.
- Confirm that the argument order is year, month, then day.
- Check the cell format so that a date serial number is not mistaken for an incorrect result.
How can I use DATE in multiple cells?
- Enter the DATE formula in the first target cell.
- Drag the fill handle to cover the target range, or copy and paste the formula into other cells.
- Check whether relative and absolute references match your needs, and use
$if you need to lock a reference.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| DATE function | A spreadsheet function that returns the serial number for a particular date from year, month, and day arguments. |
| Date serial number | The numeric value used internally by a spreadsheet to represent a date for calculation, sorting, and filtering. |
| Function arguments | The input values inside the function parentheses. DATE uses year, month, and day in that order. |
| Formula bar | The area above the worksheet where you can enter or edit formulas directly. |
| Cell format | The display setting that controls how a result appears, such as showing a serial number as a date. |