How to Change Google Sheets Date Format
We store our daily data in google sheets so we will surely have a date column. If you've not used the date feature, you should as you can change the google sheets date format. Select from more than ten different date and time formats available. What difference does it make? It is just a date! Well, date format does make a difference.
- If you are updating your sheet regularly, then for you, the date is more important than the month. If you are working on it month-wise, the month is more important than a particular date.
- Especially when you're making google sheets calendar, you need a date format that you're used to.
- More on its importance later. Firstly, let us learn how to use it and change the format.
Date formatting in Google Sheets
Change Google Sheets Date Format: 6 Steps
Step-1 The Application: Now, you want to change the date format for a particular sheet. For that purpose, you must have the google sheets application. If you do not recognize it on your mobile device, let me guide you.
- The icon is bright green in color with white cells over it.
- On opening it, you see a list of all the sheets you worked on in the past. Choose the one you want to work on or create a new google sheet.
Step-2 Choose the Date: You need to choose the particular cell that has a date to change its format or choose the entire date column if you've created it.
- If you're working on a new spreadsheet, just type ut any random date to learn the steps.
- After that, click on it so that the formatting toolbars are activated on the top and the bottom of the sheets.
Step-3 Go to 'A' Icon: Now you have to look for the capital 'A' Icon. It even has gridlines on its side. That is the edit and format option for text and cells.
- By clicking on that, a box opens at the bottom of the screen.
- That box divides into two portions. One is for text and the other is for cell.
- To change date format in google sheets, go to the cell option.
Step-4 Number Format: Different formatting options for cells appear in front of you. The date is related to numbers. So, scroll down till you see the option of 'Number Format.'
Step-5 Click on Date: In the number format option too, there are many different formatting options. Scroll down to find Date in the last section.
- By clicking on the date, google sheets will understand that the numbers you have added are for the date and return a default date format in the cell.
- This ensures that there is no confusion between other numbers and date numbers.
- Go to the next step to change the format.
Step:6 More Date/Time: In the list of number format that is open in front of you, the last option is of more date/time. It has a little arrow looking like a greater than sign at its end.
- Click on it and you will see many different date formats.
- Choose the one you want and the changes will be made to the cell.
Thus, like this, you can get a date format of your choice. Usually, we use MM/DD/YYYY format. But it may change as per the situation. You can opt for just the date and month format or a format where the year is displayed first. For instance, if you are making a google sheet template of trend report for sales of the past ten years, you would want to look at the year first and not a specific month. So, learn it and use it wisely.