DATEDIF

This function returns the number of whole days, months or years between Start date and End date.

Syntax

DATEDIF(Start date; End date; Interval)

Start date is the date from when the calculation is carried out.

End date is the date until the calculation is carried out. End date must be later, than Start date.

Interval is a string, accepted values are "d", "m", "y", "ym", "md" or "yd".

Note Icon

When entering dates as part of formulas, slashes or dashes used as date separators are interpreted as arithmetic operators. Therefore, dates entered in this format are not recognized as dates and result in erroneous calculations. To keep dates from being interpreted as parts of formulas use the DATE function, for example, DATE(1954;7;20), or place the date in quotation marks and use the ISO 8601 notation, for example, "1954-07-20". Avoid using locale dependent date formats such as "07/20/54", the calculation may produce errors if the document is loaded under different locale settings.


Tip Icon

Unambiguous conversion is possible for ISO 8601 dates and times in their extended formats with separators. If a #VALUE! error occurs, then unselect Generate #VALUE! error in - Collabora Office Calc - Formula, button Details... in section "Detailed Calculation Settings", Conversion from text to number list box.


Value for "Interval"

Return value

"d"

Number of whole days between Start date and End date.

"m"

Number of whole months between Start date and End date.

"y"

Number of whole years between Start date and End date.

"ym"

Number of whole months when subtracting years from the difference of Start date and End date.

"md"

Number of whole days when subtracting years and months from the difference of Start date and End date.

"yd"

Number of whole days when subtracting years from the difference of Start date and End date.

Example

Birthday calculation. A man was born on 1974-04-17. Today is 2012-06-13.

=DATEDIF("1974-04-17";"2012-06-13";"y") yields 38.

=DATEDIF("1974-04-17";"2012-06-13";"ym") yields 1.

=DATEDIF("1974-04-17";"2012-06-13";"md") yields 27.

So he is 38 years, 1 month and 27 days old.

=DATEDIF(DATE(1974,4,17);"2012-06-13";"m") yields 457, he has been living for 457 months.

=DATEDIF("1974-04-17";"2012-06-13";"d") yields 13937, he has been living for 13937 days.

=DATEDIF("1974-04-17";DATE(2012;06;13);"yd") yields 57, his birthday was 57 days ago.