How do I concatenate a date in Excel?
When working with Excel, it’s common to need to combine text and dates to create a more readable or useful format. Concatenating a date in Excel involves merging the date with other text or numbers. This process can be particularly useful when you want to create labels, timestamps, or any other type of date-related information that requires combining with other data. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to concatenate a date in Excel, ensuring that you can achieve the desired format with ease.
In Excel, dates are stored as serial numbers, which can make concatenation a bit tricky. However, with the right approach, you can easily combine a date with other text or numbers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Select the cell where you want to display the concatenated date.
This is the cell where the final result will be shown after you concatenate the date with other text or numbers.
2. Type the desired text or numbers before the date.
In the selected cell, start by typing the text or numbers you want to appear before the date. For example, if you want to display “Reported on” before the date, type “Reported on” in the cell.
3. Use the CONCATENATE function.
To concatenate the date with the text or numbers you’ve entered, use the CONCATENATE function. In the cell, type the following formula:
“`
=CONCATENATE(“Reported on “, DATE(2022, 1, 1))
“`
Replace “Reported on” with the text you want to display before the date, and “2022, 1, 1” with the date you want to concatenate. The DATE function is used to convert the date into a format that Excel recognizes.
4. Press Enter to apply the formula.
After entering the formula, press Enter to apply it to the selected cell. The concatenated date should now appear in the cell, with the text and date combined as you specified.
If you’re using Excel versions prior to Excel 365, you can also use the & operator to concatenate text and dates. Here’s how:
1. Select the cell where you want to display the concatenated date.
2. Type the desired text or numbers before the date.
3. Use the & operator to concatenate the date.
In the cell, type the following formula:
“`
“Reported on ” & DATE(2022, 1, 1)
“`
Again, replace “Reported on” with the text you want to display before the date, and “2022, 1, 1” with the date you want to concatenate.
4. Press Enter to apply the formula.
As before, pressing Enter will apply the formula to the selected cell, and the concatenated date will be displayed.
By following these steps, you can easily concatenate a date in Excel and create the desired format for your data. Whether you’re creating labels, timestamps, or any other type of date-related information, Excel’s CONCATENATE function and the & operator offer versatile tools to help you achieve your goals.
