DATEDIF for differences in Google Sheets - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the DATEDIF function do in Google Sheets?

DATEDIF calculates the difference between two dates in years, months, or days.

beginner

Syntax of DATEDIF function?

DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, unit) where unit can be "Y", "M", "D", "MD", "YM", or "YD".

beginner

What does the unit "Y" mean in DATEDIF?

It returns the number of complete years between the start and end dates.

intermediate

How to get the number of months ignoring years using DATEDIF?

Use unit "YM" to get months difference ignoring years.

intermediate

What happens if the start_date is after the end_date in DATEDIF?

DATEDIF returns a #NUM! error because start_date must be before end_date.

Which DATEDIF unit returns the total days difference between two dates?

A "D"

B "MD"

C "YM"

D "Y"

"D" returns the total number of days between the two dates.

What does the "MD" unit in DATEDIF calculate?

A Difference in complete months

B Difference in total days

C Difference in years

D Difference in days ignoring months and years

"MD" returns the difference in days ignoring months and years.

If start_date is 2023-01-01 and end_date is 2024-01-01, what does DATEDIF with unit "Y" return?

A 0

B 12

C 1

D 365

It returns 1 because there is one complete year between the dates.

Which unit would you use to find months difference ignoring years?

A "M"

B "YM"

C "YD"

D "MD"

"YM" calculates months difference ignoring years.

What error occurs if start_date is after end_date in DATEDIF?

A Returns #NUM! error

B Returns negative number

C Returns 0

D Returns #VALUE! error

DATEDIF returns a #NUM! error if start_date is after end_date.

Explain how to use DATEDIF to find the difference in years, months, and days between two dates.

Think about how each unit counts different parts of the date difference.

Describe the difference between the DATEDIF units "MD", "YM", and "YD".

Each unit ignores some parts of the date difference.