How to Use the YEAR Function in WPS on Windows

Use the YEAR function through 3 how-to topics, all available without membership, including guided insertion, direct formula entry, and syntax review.

How-to Index

How-to Guide

1. Insert YEAR from the Insert Function dialog

Entry point: Formula tab → Insert Function, or the fx button in the formula bar

1. Select the cell where you want to enter the YEAR function.
2. Click the fx button in the formula bar, or click Insert Function on the Formula tab.
3. Search for YEAR in the Insert Function dialog.
4. Select the YEAR function and click OK.
5. Enter the date parameter in the Function Arguments dialog.
6. Click OK to finish entering the function.

Success Criteria

• UI state: The target cell now contains the YEAR function.
• Next actions: You can continue editing the parameter, press Enter to confirm, or fill the formula down.

Tips While Using

• Common mistakes: If you do not confirm the parameter content carefully, the result may not match your expectation.
• Environment limits: The parameter should be a valid date, a date result, or a recognizable date serial value.

2. Type the YEAR formula directly in a cell

Entry point: The target cell or the formula bar

1. Select the cell where you want to enter the formula.
2. Type =YEAR(...) directly.
3. Replace the content inside the parentheses with a date cell, a date value, or a formula that returns a date.
4. Press Enter to confirm.
5. If you want to use it in multiple rows, drag the fill handle to copy the formula.

Success Criteria

• UI state: The cell displays the corresponding year result.
• Next actions: You can copy the formula, adjust the reference range, or use the result in later analysis.

Tips While Using

• Common mistakes: Passing plain text as a date may cause an error or an unexpected result.
• Environment limits: Use standard formula syntax with English parentheses when entering the formula.

3. Review YEAR syntax and parameter notes

Entry point: Formula tab → Insert Function

1. Click Insert Function on the Formula tab.
2. Type YEAR in the search box.
3. Select the function and review the syntax YEAR(serial_number).
4. Read the parameter description and input requirements in the function details area.
5. If needed, insert the function into a cell and test the result.

Success Criteria

• UI state: You can see the YEAR function name, syntax, and parameter notes.
• Next actions: You can insert the function or revise an existing formula based on the description.

Tips While Using

• Common mistakes: Looking only at the function name and ignoring the parameter requirement can lead to invalid input.
• Environment limits: With different data formats, confirm first that the cell content can be recognized as a date.