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Excel EDATE Function

The EDATE function in Microsoft Excel adds or subtracts a specified number of months to a date, returning a new date. It is useful for calculating due dates, contract renewals, or subscription periods.

Key Topics

Overview of EDATE Function

The EDATE function adjusts a date by a specified number of months, preserving the day unless it’s invalid in the new month (e.g., adjusts to the last day of the month). It is ideal for financial or scheduling calculations.

EDATE Function Syntax

The syntax for the EDATE function is as follows:

Syntax: =EDATE(start_date, months)

Parameters:

  • start_date: The initial date (required).
  • months: The number of months to add (positive) or subtract (negative) (required).

Implementation Examples

Below are examples of how to use the EDATE function in different scenarios.

Example 1: =EDATE(B2, 3) — Adds 3 months to the date in B2.

Example 2: =EDATE(TODAY(), -6) — Subtracts 6 months from today’s date.

Example 3: =EDATE(B2, C2) — Adds the number of months in C2 to the date in B2.

Sample Dataset (Excel-style View)

Below is a demo dataset styled like Excel, showing how the EDATE function can be used to calculate contract renewal dates.

A B C
1 Contract Start Date Renewal Date
2 CON001 01/01/2025 =EDATE(B2, 12)
3 CON002 02/15/2025 =EDATE(B3, 12)
4 CON003 03/01/2025 =EDATE(B4, 12)
5 CON004 04/10/2025 =EDATE(B5, 12)
6 CON005 05/01/2025 =EDATE(B6, 12)

Note: In the dataset, column C uses =EDATE(B2, 12) to calculate the renewal date by adding 12 months to the start date in B2. The formula is applied to each row to show annual renewals.

Key Takeaways

  • The EDATE function adds or subtracts months to a date.
  • It preserves the day unless invalid in the new month (e.g., adjusts to month-end).
  • It is useful for calculating due dates or renewal periods.
  • Common uses include financial contracts or subscription schedules.
  • The sample dataset demonstrates EDATE applied to calculate contract renewals.
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