SheetSkill

DATE function

Builds a real date from a year, month and day.

Practise DATE now

Syntax

=DATE(year, month, day)
ArgumentWhat it means
yearThe year, such as 2026.
monthThe month number, 1–12.
dayThe day of the month.

Example

=DATE(2026, 12, 31)

Returns 31 December 2026 as a date Excel can calculate with.

Try itType =DATE( in E2 and click cells to fill in the arguments.
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Cells
Editing
Click a cell, then type. Right-click for rows, columns, sort and filter.
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Item
Qty
Price
Date
Try here
Apples
12
$0.50
2024-01-15
Bananas
30
$0.25
2024-02-29
Cherries
8
$3.20
2024-04-30
Dates
15
$2.75
2024-07-27
Figs
5
$1.90
2024-12-01

Conditional formatting

A number, or a cell like =$H$1

AaBbCc 123

Rules on this sheet (0)

No rules yet. When several rules affect the same cell, the one higher in this list wins.

Find and Replace

Data Validation

Separate items with commas, or point at cells with = (a range or a name). Alt+↓ opens the list in a cell.

Sort

    Rows are sorted by the first level; rows that tie are sorted by the next level, and so on.

    Remove Duplicates

    Rows in count as duplicates when they match in every column you tick. The first one is kept.

    Name Manager

    No names yet. Select some cells and press New…, or type a name in the box left of the formula bar and press Enter.

    Use a name in any formula, e.g. =SUM(Prices). Ctrl+F3 opens this box.

    Edit chart

    Create Table

    A table gets a name, coloured rows, filter buttons and grows by itself when you type in the row below it. Formulas can then say =SUM(Table1[Sales]) instead of =SUM(D2:D20).

    Go To

    Format Cells

    Sample1234.5

    No specific number format.

    Insert Hyperlink

    A cell reference like Sheet2!A1 links to a place in this workbook. Ctrl+click a link cell to open it.

    New note · E2

    Notes show as a red corner. Ctrl+Enter saves.

    Text to Columns

    Split the text in into separate columns.

    Delimiters

    Goal Seek

    Change one input until a formula gives the answer you want.

    Create Sparklines

    Protect Sheet

    Stop changes to Sheet1. Cells you marked with Home › Format › Lock Cell (unlocked) can still be edited.

    Practice passwords only: Excel’s sheet protection stops accidental edits, not determined people.

    Group

    Insert Function

    SUM(number1, [number2], …)
    Adds numbers