Are you using Google Sheets to organize and analyze datasets by date? Have you ever noticed that some dates, imported from online sources or PDF files, are converted into numbers? This can make calculations and data sorting more complicated. But don’t worry, we are here to help!
In this article, we will explain how to convert text to date and vice versa in Google Sheets. We will also share some tips on changing the default date format. So, stay with us until the end of this article to learn more!
Why Convert Text to Date?
Dates can be written in different formats, which can be problematic when using Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. Spreadsheet software struggles to interpret the various representations of dates, leading to errors in calculations and data sorting and filtering operations.
To solve this problem, we will cover the following conversions:
- Convert text to date
- Convert a serial number to a date
- Convert a date to a serial number
Step 1 – Convert Text to Serial Number with the DATEVALUE Function
The first step is to convert the text to a serial number using the DATEVALUE function in Google Sheets. This function is straightforward to use. Here is its general syntax:
=DATEVALUE(date_text)Replace date_text with the reference to the cell containing the text you want to convert to a date.
Step 2 – Convert Serial Number to Date with the TO_DATE Function
Now that you have the serial number, you can convert it to a date using the TO_DATE function. Here is its general syntax:
=TO_DATE(serial_number)Replace serial_number with the reference to the cell containing the serial number you want to convert to a date.
Step 3 – Change the Date Format
If the default date format doesn’t suit your needs, you can change it in Google Sheets. Select the cells containing the dates and follow these steps:
- Click on the “Format” tab in the main menu.
- Choose “Number” from the drop-down menu.
- Select “More Formats” and then “Custom date and time formats.”
- Choose a date format from the list or create your own custom format.
Note that in Google Sheets, you have multiple predefined date formats to choose from. You can also create your own custom format using the options available in the dialog box.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now know how to convert text to date and vice versa in Google Sheets. We hope this article has been helpful and has provided you with a better understanding of date conversions in this software.
Don’t forget to explore the different date format options available in Google Sheets to find the one that best suits your needs. If you have any additional questions or encounter any issues, feel free to comment below. We’ll be delighted to assist you!
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