DAYS Function in Google Sheets: Explained

In this article, you will learn how to use the DAYS formula in Google Sheets.

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What does the DAYS formula do in Google Sheets?

The DAYS formula gives you the number of days between the two dates given.

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How do you use the DAYS function in Google Sheets?

1. Type “=DAYS” or go to “Insert” → “Function” (or directly navigate to the “Functions” icon)  → “Date” → “DAYS”.
2. Input the starting and ending dates in two arguments required.
3. Press the “Enter” key.

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The general syntax of the DAYS function is as follows:

=DAYS(end_date, start_date)

End_date: The last date of the period of which length to calculate

Start_date: The first date of the period whose number of days to compute

‍Note: The DAYS function takes Leap Day into account.

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Look at the examples to better understand how the DAYS function works in Google Sheets. Imagine you want to compute the number of days required for projects based on estimated starting and ending dates.

1. Prepare a project list containing starting and ending dates
2. Insert the DAYS function in another column
3. Fill in the arguments by cell reference

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In the next example, let’s make the project list dynamic so that it counts the number of days left to deadlines. By structuring the formula in this way, you have the updated information on the number of days left every time you open the spreadsheet.

1. Insert a cell containing today’s date
2. Compute the variance between today’s date and each deadline with the DAYS function for a project
3. Copy and paste the formula to the other cells for the other projects

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Other formulas related to date and time

If you don’t get the correct answer to your question in this article or have other questions related to date and/or time, you may find the answers in the following articles.

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Formulas related to dates

How to Use EDATE Function in Google Sheets - understand a date before/after a specific number of days

WORKDAY Function in Google Sheets: Explained - show the ending date based on inputs of specific starting date and the number of working days, excluding holidays

NETWORKDAYS Function in Google Sheets: Explained - calculate the number of working days between two dates, excluding holidays

EOMONTH Function in Google Sheets: Explained - understand an end date of a month

DATEVALUE Function in Google Sheets: Explained - convert a date into a serial number

YEAR Function in Google Sheets: Explained - extract the year from a given date

MONTH Function in Google Sheets: Explained - the month from a given date

DAY Function in Google Sheets: Explained - the day from a given date

DATE Function in Google Sheets: Explained - create a date value based on year, month and day input

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Formulas related to time

How to Insert Current Time in Google Sheets - NOW function

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You can learn about other Google Sheets formulas and tips that are not mentioned here on this page: LiveFlow‘s How to Guides

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Analyze your live financial data in a snap

Are you learning this formula to visualize financial data, build a financial model, or conduct financial analysis? In that case, LiveFlow may help you automate manual workflows and update numbers in real-time. You can access various financial templates on our website, from the simple Income Statement to Multi-Currency Consolidated Financial Statement. You can also customize these templates as you want without breaking the automated data inflow.

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