Calculate the Number of Days Between Dates in Excel

The DAYS360 function, one of Excel's Date and Time functions, can be used in accounting systems to calculate the number of days between two dates based on a 360-day year (twelve 30-day months).

The syntax for the DAYS360 function is:

= DAYS360 ( Start_date , End_date , Method )

Start_date - the start date of the chosen time period.

End_date - the end date of the chosen time period.

Method - A Boolean value (TRUE or FALSE).

• If TRUE -- the function uses the U.S. method of calculating start and end dates.
• If FALSE -- the function uses the European method of calculating start and end dates.

Note: The Method can be omitted. If it is, the U.S. method is used in the calculations.

Example Using Excel's DAYS360 Function:

For help with this example, see the image above.

1. Enter the following data into the appropriate cell:
   
   D1 - Start:
   D2 - Finish:
   D3 - Method:
   E1 - 7/7/2008
   E2 - 11/7/2008
   E3 - TRUE
   

   Note: If the dates in cells E1 and E2 do not appear correct, check to see that these cells are formatted for dates.
   

2. Click on cell F1 - the location where the results will be displayed.
   
   
3. Click on the Formulas tab.
   
   
4. Choose Date and Time functions > DAYS360 from the ribbon to bring up the function's dialog box.
   
   
5. Click on the Start_date line in the dialog box.
   
   
6. Click on cell E1 in the spreadsheet.
   
   
7. Click on the End_date line in the dialog box.
   
   
8. Click on cell E2 in the spreadsheet.
   
   
9. Click on the Method line in the dialog box.
   
   
10. Click on cell E3 in the spreadsheet.
    
    
11. Click OK in the dialog box.
    
    
12. The number of days - 120 appears in cell F1.
    
    
13. When you click on cell F1 the complete function
    = DAYS360 ( E1 , E2 , E3 ) appears in the formula bar above the worksheet.

• Excel NETWORKDAYS Function
• Excel DATEDIF Function
• Excel NOW Function