TEXT formatting for dates in Google Sheets - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

This feature helps you change how dates look in your spreadsheet. Instead of just showing the date as numbers, you can make it show the day name, month name, or a custom style that is easier to read or fits your needs.

When you want to show the day of the week next to a date, like Monday or Friday.

When you need to display a date as month and year only, like Jan 2024.

When you want to convert a date into a text format for reports or labels.

When you want to show dates in a different style than the default, like 04/27/24 or 27-Apr-2024.

When you want to combine a date with other text in one cell, like 'Due date: April 27, 2024'.

Steps

Step 1: Click

- a cell with a date or where you want the formatted date

The cell is selected and ready for input

Step 2: Type

- the formula bar

You start entering the formula

💡 Start with an equal sign (=) to begin the formula

Step 3: Enter

- the formula bar

The formula appears in the cell showing the formatted date

💡 Use the formula =TEXT(date_cell, "format") where date_cell is the cell with the date

Step 4: Replace

- "format" in the formula

The date changes to the style you want

💡 Use format codes like "dddd" for full day name, "mmm" for short month, "yyyy" for full year

Step 5: Press

- Enter key

The formula is applied and the formatted date shows in the cell

Before vs After

Before

Cell A1 shows 44927 (the date number for April 27, 2023) or a default date format like 4/27/2023

After

Cell B1 shows "Thursday" when using =TEXT(A1, "dddd") or "Apr 27, 2023" when using =TEXT(A1, "mmm dd, yyyy")

Settings Reference

Format text pattern

📍 Inside the TEXT formula as the second argument

To control how the date appears as text in the cell

Default: "mm/dd/yyyy"

Common Mistakes

Typing the date directly inside the TEXT formula without quotes

Google Sheets expects a cell reference or a date value, and the format must be a text string in quotes

Use =TEXT(A1, "dddd") where A1 contains the date, and always put the format pattern inside double quotes

Using wrong format codes like "DD" instead of "dd"

Format codes are case sensitive; "DD" is not recognized and will not format correctly

Use lowercase letters for day and month codes, like "dd" for day and "mm" for month

Expecting the cell to remain a date after using TEXT

TEXT converts the date to text, so you cannot do date calculations on the result

Use TEXT only for display purposes; keep original dates in separate cells for calculations

Summary

The TEXT function changes how dates look by turning them into text with your chosen style.

You must use format codes inside quotes to tell Sheets how to show the date.

Remember that the result is text, so it cannot be used for date math.