Did you know that you can easily convert a month name to its corresponding month number in Google Sheets? If you’re tired of manually converting your month names, we’ve got the perfect solution for you. In this article, we’ll explore a simple formula that will save you time and effort. Let’s dive in!
The Formula: Your Shortcut to Month Number Conversion
To convert a month name to its corresponding number, you can use the following formula:
=IFERROR(MONTH(DATEVALUE(A1&1)))Assuming cell A1 contains the month name “March” or the abbreviated name “Mar,” this formula will return the number 3. Easy, right? You can replace “March” with any other month name in cell A1, and the formula will automatically update to give you the correct month number.
Alternatively, you can use the CONCAT function instead of the ampersand symbol to concatenate the month name with the number 1. The formula would then be:
=IFERROR(MONTH(DATEVALUE(CONCAT(A1, 1))))Both formulas work in the same way and give you the desired result.
Understanding the Formula
Now that we have the formula, let’s take a closer look at how it works.
The MONTH Function: Converting Month Name to Number
The MONTH function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool designed to return a month number from a given date. But how does it convert a month name to a number? Let’s find out.
If you enter any month name followed by the number 1 in a cell, Google Sheets recognizes it as a date and converts it to the corresponding date value. By concatenating the month name with the number 1, the MONTH function reads it as a date and returns the corresponding month number.
The Role of DATEVALUE: Ensuring Accuracy
You may wonder why we use the DATEVALUE function along with the MONTH function. The reason is simple: to ensure accuracy. If cell A1 is left blank, A1&1 will return 1. In Google Sheets, the number 1 represents the date 31/12/1899. Without the DATEVALUE function, the MONTH formula alone would return 12 as the month number. However, by converting the date string to a date value, the DATEVALUE function prevents this issue. If A1&1 returns 1, DATEVALUE returns an error, which the IFERROR function conveniently removes.
So, the correct approach to convert a month name to its corresponding number is by using the DATEVALUE and MONTH combination.
Why Use the Number 1?
You may wonder why we specifically use the number 1 for concatenation. In Google Sheets, any number from 1 to 28 can be concatenated with the month name, as Sheets interprets it as the day. However, it is safer to use numbers within the range of 1 to 28. Using any other number could cause issues in certain months, such as February, which has either 28 or 29 days.
Converting Multiple Month Names
What if you have a column full of month names and want to convert them all at once? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. By using an array formula, you can efficiently convert multiple month names to their corresponding numbers. Here’s how:
=ArrayFormula(IFERROR(MONTH(DATEVALUE(CONCAT(B2:B, 1)))))Simply specify the range of cells containing the month names (e.g., B2:B) and wrap the formula with the ARRAYFORMULA function. This formula will convert all the month names in the specified range to their corresponding numbers.
Conclusion
With this simple formula, you can effortlessly convert month names to month numbers in Google Sheets. Say goodbye to manual conversions and hello to efficiency! If you want to learn more about working with month names in Google Sheets, check out the resources below:
- Google Sheets Query: How to Convert Month in Number to Month Name in Text
- Convert Month Numbers to Month Names in Google Sheets
- Formula to Sort By Month Name in Google Sheets
- Month Name as the Criterion in Date Column in Query Function in Google Sheets
Now go ahead and explore the possibilities of date functions in your spreadsheets. Happy converting!
