How to remove time from date in excel

Answer

Removing time from date in Excel means converting a datetime value that displays both date and time (like 1/15/2024 2:30 PM) into a value that shows only the date portion (1/15/2024). Excel stores dates and times as decimal numbers, where the integer part represents the date and the decimal part represents the time.

How to remove time from date using the INT function

To remove time from date using the INT function, select the cell where you want the result, type =INT(A1) where A1 contains your datetime value, and press Enter. The INT function removes the decimal portion (time) by keeping only the integer part (date).

The INT function works because Excel stores datetime values as numbers. A complete date like 1/15/2024 appears as 45306, while 1/15/2024 2:30 PM appears as 45306.104167. The INT function strips everything after the decimal point.

Steps to use the INT function:

1. Click the cell where you want the date without time
2. Type =INT( followed by the cell reference containing the datetime
3. Close the parentheses and press Enter
4. Copy the formula down to other cells by dragging the fill handle

How to remove time from date using the TRUNC function

To remove time from date using the TRUNC function, enter =TRUNC(A1) in your desired cell, where A1 contains the datetime value. The TRUNC function truncates the decimal portion representing time and returns only the date.

The TRUNC function operates identically to INT for positive numbers but offers more control through an optional second parameter. The syntax TRUNC(number, [num_digits]) allows you to specify decimal places, though for date removal you keep the default of 0.

Steps to use the TRUNC function:

1. Select the target cell for your date-only value
2. Enter =TRUNC(cell_reference) replacing cell_reference with your datetime cell
3. Press Enter to execute the formula
4. Apply the formula to additional cells using the fill handle

How to remove time from date using the DATE function

To remove time from date using the DATE function, combine it with YEAR, MONTH, and DAY functions in the formula =DATE(YEAR(A1),MONTH(A1),DAY(A1)). This extracts each date component separately and reconstructs the date without time.

This method creates a pure date value by breaking down the datetime into its constituent parts. The YEAR function extracts the year, MONTH extracts the month number, and DAY extracts the day number. The DATE function then assembles these components into a clean date value.

Steps to use the DATE function method:

1. Click your target cell
2. Type =DATE(YEAR(A1),MONTH(A1),DAY(A1)) replacing A1 with your datetime cell
3. Press Enter
4. Copy the formula to other cells as needed

How to remove time from date using formatting

To remove time from date using formatting, right-click the cell containing the datetime, select Format Cells, choose Date category, pick your preferred date format, and click OK. This changes the display without altering the underlying value.

Formatting provides a visual solution but the cell still contains the time component in its stored value. Calculations using these cells will include the time portion even though it appears hidden. This method works best when you need dates to display without time, but calculations remain unaffected.

Steps for Windows:

1. Select the cells containing datetime values
2. Right-click and choose Format Cells
3. Click the Number tab
4. Select Date from the Category list
5. Choose your desired date format from the Type list
6. Click OK

Steps for Mac:

1. Select the cells with datetime values
2. Right-click and choose Format Cells (or press Command+1)
3. Click the Number tab
4. Select Date from the Category list
5. Pick your preferred date format
6. Click OK

How to remove time from date using Text to Columns

To remove time from date using Text to Columns, select your datetime column, click Data tab, choose Text to Columns, select Delimited, click Next twice, choose Date format under Column data format, select your date format (typically MDY), and click Finish. This converts datetime values to dates in place.

Text to Columns overwrites the original data, so copy your datetime column to a new location before applying this method. The feature splits or converts data based on delimiters or fixed widths, but selecting Date format during the wizard forces Excel to recognize only the date portion.

Steps to use Text to Columns:

1. Copy your datetime column to preserve original data
2. Select the copied column
3. Click the Data tab on the ribbon
4. Click Text to Columns in the Data Tools group
5. Choose Delimited and click Next
6. Clear all delimiter checkboxes and click Next
7. Select Date under Column data format
8. Choose MDY (or your regional format) from the dropdown
9. Click Finish

How to remove time from date using Find and Replace

To remove time from date using Find and Replace, select your datetime range, press Ctrl+H (Windows) or Command+H (Mac), enter a space followed by asterisk (*) in Find what field, leave Replace with field empty, and click Replace All. This removes everything after the space including the time.

Find and Replace works when your datetime format displays a space between date and time portions. The asterisk acts as a wildcard matching any characters following the space. This method permanently changes the cell contents rather than just the display.

Steps for Windows:

1. Select cells containing datetime values
2. Press Ctrl+H to open Find and Replace
3. Type a space followed by * in the Find what box
4. Leave the Replace with box empty
5. Click Replace All

Steps for Mac:

1. Select the datetime cells
2. Press Command+H for Find and Replace
3. Enter a space and * in the Find what field
4. Keep the Replace with field blank
5. Click Replace All

When should you use each method?

Use the INT or TRUNC functions when you need the actual date value changed for calculations while maintaining formula flexibility. These functions create new values that Excel treats purely as dates in subsequent operations.

Use formatting when you need to display dates without time but want to preserve the original datetime values for calculations. This maintains data integrity while changing the visual presentation.

Use the DATE function method when you need guaranteed date values that remain unaffected by regional settings or when working with complex datetime structures. This method reconstructs dates from components and eliminates any possibility of time data persisting.

Use Text to Columns when you need to convert large datasets permanently and quickly without formulas. This bulk conversion method saves time with extensive data ranges but requires caution since it overwrites original values.

Use Find and Replace when your datetime follows a consistent text format with clear separators and you need rapid conversion without formulas. This works best for one-time data cleanup tasks.

What are common issues when removing time from dates?

Serial number display occurs when the date format gets lost during conversion, showing numbers like 45306 instead of dates. Right-click the cell, select Format Cells, choose Date category, and apply your preferred date format to resolve this issue.

Calculation errors happen when formatted cells still contain hidden time values. Comparing two dates that appear identical but contain different time values returns FALSE. Use INT or TRUNC functions on both values before comparison to eliminate time components.

Text conversion problems emerge when dates become text strings during removal processes. Text dates prevent calculations and sorting. Multiply the text date by 1 (=A1*1) or use VALUE function to convert back to proper date values.

Regional format inconsistencies cause dates to display incorrectly after time removal. Excel interprets dates based on system regional settings. Specify the correct date format explicitly using Format Cells or modify regional settings in Control Panel (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac).

How to verify time removal was successful?

To verify time removal, check the formula bar when selecting the cell. The formula bar displays the actual stored value. A pure date shows only the date (1/15/2024), while a datetime shows both components (1/15/2024 2:30 PM).

Perform a subtraction test by creating a formula that subtracts two consecutive dates. Pure dates return whole numbers (1, 2, 3), while datetime values return decimals (1.104167). Whole number results confirm successful time removal.

Use the HOUR, MINUTE, or SECOND functions on your date cell. These functions return 0 for pure dates but display time values for datetime entries. Enter =HOUR(A1) and a result of 0 confirms no time component exists.

Compare the cell value to its INT equivalent using =A1=INT(A1). This formula returns TRUE when the cell contains only a date and FALSE when time data remains.

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