Convert Yyyymmdd To Mm Dd Yyyy In Excel Easily

Converting Dates in Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide

When working with dates in Excel, it's not uncommon to encounter formatting issues. One common problem is converting dates from the YYYYMMDD format to the more readable MM DD YYYY format. In this article, we'll explore the easiest ways to accomplish this task in Excel.

Understanding Date Formats in Excel

Before we dive into the conversion process, it's essential to understand how Excel handles dates. Excel stores dates as serial numbers, with January 1, 1900, being the starting point (serial number 1). This means that any date you enter into Excel is automatically converted to a serial number.

Method 1: Using the TEXT Function

One of the simplest ways to convert a date from YYYYMMDD to MM DD YYYY is by using the TEXT function. This function allows you to format a value as text in a specific way.

Here's the syntax:

=TEXT(A1,"mm dd yyyy")

Assuming the date you want to convert is in cell A1, the formula above will return the date in the MM DD YYYY format.

Method 2: Using the DATE Function

If you want to convert a date from YYYYMMDD to MM DD YYYY and also perform calculations on the date, you can use the DATE function.

Here's the syntax:

=DATE(LEFT(A1,4),MID(A1,5,2),RIGHT(A1,2))

This formula extracts the year, month, and day from the original date and then uses the DATE function to create a new date in the MM DD YYYY format.

Method 3: Using Power Query

If you're using Excel 2010 or later, you can use Power Query to convert dates from YYYYMMDD to MM DD YYYY.

Here's how:

1. Go to the "Data" tab in the ribbon.
2. Click on "From Other Sources" and then select "From Microsoft Query".
3. In the Query Editor, click on "Add Column" and then select "Custom Column".
4. In the "Custom Column" dialog box, enter the following formula:

=Date.FromText([Date])

Replace "[Date]" with the name of the column containing the dates you want to convert.

5. Click "OK" and then click "Load" to load the query into Excel.

Method 4: Using VBA Macro

If you're comfortable with VBA macros, you can use the following code to convert dates from YYYYMMDD to MM DD YYYY:

Sub ConvertDate()
    Dim cell As Range
    For Each cell In Selection
        cell.Value = Format(cell.Value, "mm dd yyyy")
    Next cell
End Sub

To use this macro, follow these steps:

1. Press "Alt + F11" to open the VBA Editor.
2. In the Editor, click on "Insert" and then select "Module".
3. Paste the code above into the module.
4. Click "Run" to run the macro.

Conclusion

Converting dates from YYYYMMDD to MM DD YYYY in Excel is a relatively simple task that can be accomplished using various methods. Whether you prefer using formulas, Power Query, or VBA macros, there's a solution that suits your needs. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily convert dates in Excel and make your data more readable.

Date Conversion in Excel Image Gallery

We hope this article has been helpful in showing you how to convert dates from YYYYMMDD to MM DD YYYY in Excel. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.