Intro
Learn how to extract the month name from a date number in Excel with 5 easy methods. Discover formulas and functions, including TEXT, MONTH, and CHOOSE, to convert month numbers to names. Master date manipulation and formatting in Excel, and improve your data analysis skills with these simple yet powerful techniques.
Working with dates in Excel can be a bit tricky, especially when you need to convert a month number into a month name. Fortunately, there are several ways to achieve this, and we'll explore five methods in this article.
Method 1: Using the TEXT Function
The TEXT function is a simple and straightforward way to convert a month number into a month name. The syntax is as follows:
=TEXT(A1,"mmmm")
Assuming the month number is in cell A1, this formula will return the corresponding month name. For example, if A1 contains the number 7, the formula will return "July".
Method 2: Using the CHOOSE Function
The CHOOSE function is another way to get the month name from a number. This function returns a value from a list of values based on a given position. Here's the syntax:
=CHOOSE(A1,"January","February","March","April","May","June","July","August","September","October","November","December")
In this formula, the month number is in cell A1. The CHOOSE function will return the corresponding month name from the list.
Method 3: Using VLOOKUP
VLOOKUP is a powerful function that can be used to look up values in a table. To get the month name from a number using VLOOKUP, create a table with two columns: one for the month numbers and one for the corresponding month names. Then, use the following formula:
=VLOOKUP(A1,Table1,2,FALSE)
Assuming the table is named "Table1" and the month number is in cell A1, this formula will return the corresponding month name.
Method 4: Using INDEX-MATCH
The INDEX-MATCH function combination is another way to look up values in a table. To get the month name from a number using INDEX-MATCH, create a table with two columns: one for the month numbers and one for the corresponding month names. Then, use the following formula:
=INDEX(Table1[Month Name],MATCH(A1,Table1[Month Number],0))
Assuming the table is named "Table1" and the month number is in cell A1, this formula will return the corresponding month name.
Method 5: Using Power Query
Power Query is a powerful tool in Excel that allows you to manipulate and transform data. To get the month name from a number using Power Query, follow these steps:
- Go to the "Data" tab and click on "From Other Sources" > "From Microsoft Query".
- Create a new query and add a column for the month numbers.
- Add a new column next to the month numbers column and use the following formula:
=Month.Name(Month.From([Month Number]))
This formula will return the corresponding month name from the month number.
These are five ways to get the month name from a number in Excel. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Choosing the Best Method
When choosing a method, consider the following factors:
- Complexity: If you're working with a large dataset, a simpler method like the TEXT function or VLOOKUP might be more efficient.
- Flexibility: If you need to perform additional calculations or transformations on the data, Power Query might be a better option.
- Performance: If you're working with a very large dataset, INDEX-MATCH or Power Query might be faster than VLOOKUP.
Ultimately, the best method depends on your specific needs and the complexity of your data.
Excel Date and Time Functions Gallery
We hope this article has helped you learn how to get the month name from a number in Excel. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask in the comments below. Don't forget to share this article with your friends and colleagues who might find it helpful!