When using NETWORKDAYS, common questions usually involve formula entry, argument format, result checking, and usage scenarios; this FAQ includes 4 common questions and a 4-term glossary.
FAQ
What should I do if NETWORKDAYS shows an error after I enter it?
- Check whether the formula starts with
=. - Check whether the parentheses are complete and the arguments use the correct separator.
- Confirm that the start date and end date refer to valid date cells.
- Press Enter again after correcting the formula.
How can I view the argument prompt for NETWORKDAYS?
- Select the target cell.
- Type
=NETWORKDAYS(. - Check whether the syntax prompt appears near the formula bar.
- Continue entering arguments in the displayed order.
Why does the result not match what I expected?
- Check whether you already accounted for the default rule that excludes Saturday and Sunday.
- Check whether the holidays argument is missing or the holidays range is incomplete.
- Confirm that the referenced cells are real dates rather than text-formatted dates.
- Review the result again after adjusting the arguments.
Can I use NETWORKDAYS together with other formulas?
- Complete the NETWORKDAYS calculation first.
- Use its result as an argument in another formula.
- If needed, reference date cells from other worksheets directly.
- After changing the source data, confirm that the linked result updates as expected.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| NETWORKDAYS | A spreadsheet function that calculates the number of working days between two dates, excluding Saturday and Sunday by default. |
| Start date | The beginning date used in the calculation, usually from a date cell or another date formula. |
| End date | The ending date used in the calculation together with the start date to define the workday range. |
| Holidays range | An optional date range passed into the formula to exclude specified non-working dates from the result. |