DATE function in Google Sheets - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the DATE function do in Google Sheets?

The DATE function creates a date value from separate year, month, and day numbers. It helps you combine these parts into one date that Google Sheets can understand.

beginner

How do you write the DATE function syntax?

The syntax is =DATE(year, month, day). You put the year, month, and day numbers inside the parentheses, separated by commas.

intermediate

What happens if you use a month number greater than 12 in the DATE function?

Google Sheets adds the extra months to the year. For example, =DATE(2024, 14, 5) means 2 months after December 2024, so it becomes February 5, 2025.

intermediate

Can the DATE function handle negative day numbers?

Yes! Negative or zero day numbers count backward from the previous month. For example, =DATE(2024, 3, 0) gives February 29, 2024 (the day before March 1).

beginner

Why is the DATE function useful instead of typing dates directly?

It helps avoid errors with date formats and lets you build dates from numbers or other formulas. This makes your spreadsheet more flexible and reliable.

What is the correct way to create the date March 15, 2024 using the DATE function?

A =DATE(2024, 3, 15)

B =DATE(3, 15, 2024)

C =DATE(15, 3, 2024)

D =DATE(2024, 15, 3)

The DATE function uses the order year, month, day. So March 15, 2024 is =DATE(2024, 3, 15).

What date does =DATE(2024, 0, 10) return?

A January 10, 2024

B Invalid date error

C December 10, 2023

D October 10, 2024

Month 0 means the month before January 2024, which is December 2023. So the date is December 10, 2023.

If you want to create February 29, 2024, which formula works?

A Both C and D

B =DATE(2024, 2, 30)

C =DATE(2024, 3, 0)

D =DATE(2024, 2, 29)

Both =DATE(2024, 2, 29) and =DATE(2024, 3, 0) return February 29, 2024 because day 0 of March is the last day of February.

What happens if you use =DATE(2024, 15, 10)?

A Returns an error

B Returns October 10, 2024

C Returns December 10, 2024

D Returns March 10, 2025

Month 15 means 12 months + 3 months, so it adds 1 year and 3 months to 2024. The date is March 10, 2025.

Why might you use the DATE function instead of typing a date directly?

A To avoid date format problems

B All of the above

C To make spreadsheets easier to update

D To create dates from numbers or formulas

The DATE function helps avoid format issues, builds dates from parts, and makes updating easier.

Explain how the DATE function works and why it is useful in spreadsheets.

Think about how you combine numbers to make a date.

Describe what happens if you use a month number greater than 12 or a day number less than 1 in the DATE function.

Consider how the function handles extra months or days.