How to Get Day Name from Date in Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting the day name from a date in Excel is surprisingly simple. You just need to use a formula that pulls the day of the week from any given date. With a few quick steps, you’ll have Excel displaying the day names like magic.

How to Get Day Name from Date in Excel

In this section, we’ll break down the steps to extract the day name from a date in Excel. You’ll learn how to format the date, use the appropriate formula, and ensure it displays correctly.

Step 1: Open Excel and Enter Your Date

First, open an Excel spreadsheet and enter the date you want to convert into a day name in a cell.

For example, you might enter "10/12/2023" in cell A1. This date will be the basis for the rest of our steps.

Step 2: Select the Cell for the Day Name

Next, click on the cell where you want the day name to appear.

This could be cell B1 if you entered your date in cell A1. By selecting this cell, you’re telling Excel where to display the day name.

Step 3: Enter the Formula

Type the formula "=TEXT(A1, "dddd")" into the selected cell and press Enter.

The "TEXT" function in Excel converts a date into text format. By using "dddd," you’re instructing Excel to display the full name of the day.

Step 4: Verify the Day Name

Check the cell for the day name result. It should now show the correct day name for the date you entered.

In our example, cell B1 should display "Thursday" if you entered "10/12/2023" in cell A1. If it does, you’re all set!

Step 5: Format as Necessary

If needed, format the cell to adjust text style, font size, or color for better readability.

You can do this by right-clicking the cell, selecting "Format Cells," and then choosing your desired formatting options.

After completing these steps, Excel will display the day name for any given date you enter. It’s a handy trick for organizing schedules, planning events, or just satisfying your curiosity about what day of the week a particular date falls on.

Tips for Getting Day Name from Date in Excel

• Always ensure your date cells are formatted correctly for Excel to recognize them as dates.
• Use the shorter "ddd" format if you prefer abbreviations like "Thu" instead of "Thursday."
• Test your formula with different dates to ensure accuracy before applying it to a large dataset.
• Use the "Fill Handle" to quickly apply the formula to multiple cells if you have a list of dates.
• Remember that Excel uses your system’s regional date settings, which may affect the displayed day names.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this method for multiple dates at once?

Yes, you can use the Fill Handle to drag the formula down to apply it to multiple cells containing dates.

What if the day name doesn’t display correctly?

Ensure your date is correctly formatted and that the formula references the right cell.

Can I display the day name in a different language?

Excel’s display language settings control the day names. Adjust your language settings in Excel to change the language.

Why does Excel show a number instead of a day name?

This happens if the cell isn’t formatted as a date. Check and adjust the cell’s formatting.

Is there a way to get the abbreviated day name?

Yes, use the formula "=TEXT(A1, "ddd")" to get abbreviations like "Mon," "Tue," etc.

Summary

1. Enter the date in a cell.
2. Select the cell for the day name.
3. Type "=TEXT(A1, "dddd")" and press Enter.
4. Verify the day name.
5. Format the cell as needed.

Conclusion

Getting the day name from a date in Excel is a straightforward task once you know the right formula to use. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily transform any date into its corresponding day name. This can be particularly useful for scheduling, organizing your calendar, or even just satisfying your curiosity about what day a particular date falls on.

If you’re looking to delve deeper, consider exploring other date-related functions in Excel, like calculating the difference between dates or finding the last day of the month. These functions can further enhance your data management skills.

So, go ahead and try it out. Transform those dates into day names and see how it can make managing your data just a little bit easier. And remember, practice makes perfect. The more you use these functions, the more intuitive they’ll become. Happy Excel-ing!