7 Simple Ways To Convert Date Time To Date In Excel

Converting date time values to just date values in Excel can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. But fear not! Whether you're cleaning up data, preparing reports, or simply trying to enhance your spreadsheet skills, you’ll find that mastering this conversion is crucial. 🚀 This guide will equip you with seven simple and effective methods to convert date time to date in Excel, along with helpful tips, shortcuts, and common pitfalls to avoid. Let's dive in!

Understanding Date and Time Formats in Excel

Excel handles date and time formats differently, which can cause some confusion. A date time value includes both the date and the time, whereas a date value only displays the date, with the time being either set to midnight or removed entirely.

For example:

• Date Time: 2023-10-03 14:30:00
• Date: 2023-10-03

Now that we have a basic understanding, let’s look at the various methods to convert date time to date.

Method 1: Using the INT Function

One of the simplest ways to convert date time to date is by using the INT function. This function truncates the decimal portion of a date time value, effectively leaving you with the date.

Steps:

1. Click on the cell where you want the converted date to appear.
2. Enter the formula: =INT(A1) (assuming A1 is the cell containing the date time).
3. Press Enter.

Note

<p class="pro-note">Using INT works well for single values, but if you want to convert a whole column, you will need to drag the formula down!</p>

Method 2: Formatting Cells

Another straightforward way is to change the format of the cell. This won't remove the time but will hide it visually.

Steps:

1. Select the cell(s) with date time values.
2. Right-click and choose "Format Cells."
3. In the Number tab, select "Date" and choose your preferred date format.
4. Click OK.

Note

<p class="pro-note">This method only changes how the data is displayed, not the underlying value, which still contains the time!</p>

Method 3: Using Text to Columns

The "Text to Columns" feature is a hidden gem in Excel that helps you split the date and time.

Steps:

1. Select the column containing the date time data.
2. Go to the "Data" tab and click "Text to Columns."
3. Choose "Delimited" and click Next.
4. Uncheck all delimiters and click Next again.
5. In the "Column data format," select "Date" and choose the date format (MDY or DMY).
6. Click Finish.

Note

<p class="pro-note">This method will overwrite the original data, so it’s a good idea to create a backup before performing this action!</p>

Method 4: Using the DATE Function

If you want to extract the year, month, and day from a date time and create a date from those parts, you can use the DATE function.

Steps:

1. Click on a cell to enter the new date.
2. Enter the formula: =DATE(YEAR(A1), MONTH(A1), DAY(A1)).
3. Press Enter.

Note

<p class="pro-note">This method gives you more control over what date format you want to create. You can even adjust it as needed!</p>

Method 5: Using the TEXT Function

The TEXT function can also be beneficial when you need a text representation of the date only.

Steps:

1. In a new cell, type: =TEXT(A1, "yyyy-mm-dd").
2. Press Enter.

Note

<p class="pro-note">Using TEXT will convert the date into a text string, which may not be ideal if you need it for calculations.</p>

Method 6: Power Query

For those using Excel 2016 and later, Power Query provides a powerful way to manipulate data.

Steps:

1. Go to the "Data" tab and select "Get Data" > "From Other Sources" > "Blank Query."
2. In the Power Query Editor, enter = Excel.CurrentWorkbook(){[Name="Table1"]}[Content] (change "Table1" to your data's name).
3. Select your date time column, go to the "Transform" tab, and click "Date" then "Date Only."
4. Click "Close & Load."

Note

<p class="pro-note">Power Query is great for large datasets but requires a bit of a learning curve to get comfortable!</p>

Method 7: VBA Macro

For advanced users, using a VBA Macro can automate the process of converting date time to date.

Steps:

1. Press ALT + F11 to open the VBA editor.
2. Insert a new module by right-clicking on the project explorer and selecting Insert > Module.
3. Paste the following code:

Sub ConvertDateTimeToDate()
    Dim Cell As Range
    For Each Cell In Selection
        If IsDate(Cell.Value) Then
            Cell.Value = Int(Cell.Value)
        End If
    Next Cell
End Sub

4. Close the editor, select your date time cells, and run the macro by pressing ALT + F8.

Note

<p class="pro-note">Always make a copy of your data before running a VBA script to avoid unintended data loss!</p>

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While converting date time values, it's easy to run into some common pitfalls. Here are a few to be aware of:

1. Forgetting to backup your data: Always save a copy before making bulk changes.
2. Assuming formatting changes the data: Remember that simply changing the format doesn't alter the underlying data.
3. Using the wrong formulas: Make sure to choose the right function for your needs.

Troubleshooting Issues

If you encounter issues during conversion, consider the following troubleshooting tips:

• Double-check your cell references: Ensure that you're pointing to the right cells in your formulas.
• Make sure your dates are recognized by Excel: Sometimes, imported data is treated as text. You can use the DATEVALUE function to convert text to date.
• Excel regional settings: Ensure that your date formats align with your regional settings, as this may cause mismatches.

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How do I convert a date time format that isn't recognized by Excel?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Try using the DATEVALUE function or changing the cell format to ensure Excel recognizes it as a date.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Will converting date time affect my data accuracy?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>As long as you follow the methods correctly, the date will be accurate; however, any time information will be lost.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Is it possible to convert multiple cells at once?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes! You can apply formulas or use features like Text to Columns for bulk conversions.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What if my dates are stored as text?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Use the DATEVALUE function or try converting them with Text to Columns to get them recognized as dates.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Mastering these seven methods to convert date time to date in Excel will save you time and enhance your data management skills. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to explore these techniques in your own spreadsheets. With a little bit of practice, you'll be converting date times like a pro!

<p class="pro-note">🌟Pro Tip: Always keep a backup of your original data before making significant changes to avoid losing information!</p>