how to use weekday function in excel
The WEEKDAY function in Excel is super handy when you need to find out the day of the week for a given date. With just a simple formula, you can transform any date into a number representing its weekday. Whether you’re planning schedules, tracking habits, or analyzing trends, the WEEKDAY function makes it a breeze. Here’s a quick overview of how you can do it: just type in the function, reference a date, and voila! Excel tells you which day it is.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the WEEKDAY Function in Excel
This guide will walk you through the steps to use the WEEKDAY function in Excel, turning any date into a day of the week in no time. You’ll learn how to input the function, understand its outputs, and customize it to your needs.
Step 1: Open Excel and select a cell
First, open your Excel spreadsheet and click on the cell where you want the result to appear.
Choosing the right cell is important so your data remains organized. You can pick any empty cell for this step.
Step 2: Enter the WEEKDAY function
Type =WEEKDAY( into the selected cell.
When you start typing, Excel’s auto-suggest may help you complete the function name. This makes it quicker and reduces typos.
Step 3: Reference your date
After the opening parenthesis, type the cell reference of the date you want to evaluate, like A1.
Ensure that the cell you reference actually contains a date. Excel reads dates as serial numbers, so if it’s not formatted correctly, you might get an error.
Step 4: Close the parentheses and press Enter
Finish the formula by closing the parentheses ) and then press Enter.
Once you press Enter, Excel will calculate and display a number between 1 and 7, each representing a day of the week.
Step 5: Interpret the result
Understand that the number Excel returns corresponds to a specific weekday (1 = Sunday, 2 = Monday, etc.).
You can customize this by adding a second argument to the function, like =WEEKDAY(A1, 2), where 2 means Monday = 1, Tuesday = 2, and so on.
After completing these steps, you’ll see a number that tells you which day of the week the date falls on. This number can then be used for further analysis, formatting, or just satisfying your curiosity about the day.
Tips for Using the WEEKDAY Function in Excel
- Use the second argument in the WEEKDAY function to change the starting day of the week.
- Combine WEEKDAY with other functions like TEXT to display the actual day name.
- Ensure your date is in the correct format to avoid errors.
- Use conditional formatting to highlight specific weekdays.
- Utilize WEEKDAY in pivot tables to group data by days of the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the WEEKDAY function return?
The WEEKDAY function returns a number between 1 and 7, representing the day of the week.
Can I change which day is considered the start of the week?
Yes, by adding a second argument to the function, you can set which day is considered the start of the week.
What if my date is not in the correct format?
If your date isn’t formatted correctly, Excel might return an error or an unexpected result. Ensure your date cell is formatted as a date.
How can I display the actual day name instead of a number?
You can use the TEXT function in combination with WEEKDAY to display the actual day name.
Can WEEKDAY be used in conditional formatting?
Yes, you can use the WEEKDAY function within conditional formatting rules to highlight specific days of the week.
Summary
- Open Excel and select a cell.
- Enter the WEEKDAY function.
- Reference your date.
- Close the parentheses and press Enter.
- Interpret the result.
Conclusion
The WEEKDAY function in Excel is a powerful yet simple tool to decode the day of the week from any given date. By using just a simple formula, you can unlock a wealth of information and improve how you organize and analyze your data. Whether you’re a student managing your study schedule or a professional analyzing business trends, the WEEKDAY function can make your life easier.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you now know how to effortlessly find out which day of the week any date falls on. Plus, with the handy tips and FAQs, you’ve got all the extra know-how to make the most of this function.
So go ahead, fire up Excel, and start experimenting with the WEEKDAY function. Your dates will never look the same again! For further reading, you can check out more advanced functions like WORKDAY and NETWORKDAYS to expand your Excel skills even more.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.