How it works.
DATE builds an official Excel date serial number from individual year, month, and day integers, preventing regional date format ambiguities (MM/DD vs DD/MM).
Formula syntax.
Standard Excel Notation=DATE(year, month, day)[like_this] are optional; all other arguments are required.Formula arguments.
Every parameter accepted by the DATE function is detailed below.
Four digit year number (e.g. 2025).
Example value:2025Integer from 1 to 12 representing month.
Example value:5Integer from 1 to 31 representing day.
Example value:20Simple example.
Step-by-Step ScenarioConstruct Date from Columns
Combine separate Year, Month, and Day columns into a single date.
| Year | Month | Day | Constructed Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 20 | — |
| 2025 | 12 | 31 | — |
=DATE(A2, B2, C2)Evaluates DATE over the sample table cells, placing the verified output in cell D2.
Formula generator.
Full Generator WizardCustomize the argument fields below to generate a tailored DATE formula ready to paste directly into your worksheet.
=DATE()Expected result behavior.
Returns "2025-05-20" based on sample evaluation criteria and active cell references.
Best Practices
- Always use 4-digit years to avoid confusion with 1900-era serial dates.
Common Mistakes
- Supplying month numbers greater than 12 rolls into subsequent years (e.g. Month 13 becomes January of next year).
Platform & version compatibility.
Verified platform compatibility matrix based on actual spreadsheet calculation engine specifications.
Core standard function supported across all modern and legacy Microsoft Excel versions (365, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010), as well as Excel for the Web and Mac.
100% compatible with Google Sheets. Uses identical argument order, data types, and standard calculation logic.
Frequently asked questions.
Technical Q&ACan I use DATE across different worksheets in Excel?↓
Yes. You can reference cells located on other sheets by including the sheet name followed by an exclamation mark, for example: =DATE(Sheet2!A2:A10). If the sheet name contains spaces, enclose it in single quotes: ='Q1 Report'!A2:A10.
What is the most common reason for errors in DATE?↓
Supplying month numbers greater than 12 rolls into subsequent years (e.g. Month 13 becomes January of next year).
Does DATE work identically in Google Sheets?↓
Yes, DATE is supported in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets with standard evaluation behavior.