EDATE function: Description, Usage, Syntax, Examples and Explanation

Syntax of EDATE function

EDATE(start_date, months)

The EDATE function syntax has the following arguments:

• Start_date: A date that represents the start date. Dates should be entered by using the DATE function, or as results of other formulas or functions. For example, use DATE(2008,5,23) for the 23rd day of May, 2008. Problems can occur if dates are entered as text.
• Months: The number of months before or after start_date. A positive value for months yields a future date; a negative value yields a past date.

EDATE formula explanation

• Microsoft Excel stores dates as sequential serial numbers so they can be used in calculations. By default, January 1, 1900 is serial number 1, and January 1, 2008 is serial number 39448 because it is 39,448 days after January 1, 1900.
• If start_date is not a valid date, EDATE returns the #VALUE! error value.
• If months is not an integer, it is truncated.

Example of EDATE function

Steps to follow:

1. Open a new Excel worksheet.

2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1

Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.

You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.