DATEDIF Function in Excel
Intermediate
Calculates the number of days, months, or years between two dates.
Syntax
=DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, unit)Example
Use Case
Calculate age from date of birth.
Common Errors to Avoid
- Returns #NUM! if start_date > end_date
- Unit must be in quotes: "Y", "M", "D", "MD", "YM", or "YD"
- Not documented in Excel help - legacy function from Lotus 1-2-3
Pro Tips
Use "Y" for complete years, "M" for complete months. Combine units for precise age: =DATEDIF(B2,TODAY(),"Y")&" years, "&DATEDIF(B2,TODAY(),"YM")&" months". Ensure dates are valid Excel date serial numbers.
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