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3 Easy Ways to Add Days to Date in Excel (2024 WPS Office Tutorial)

September 7, 2023 1.7K views

Navigating time-based calculations in Excel often involves using dates to compute various performance metrics like monthly sales, quarterly revenue, or annual growth. However, a common challenge emerges when individuals are unsure about adding days to a date using WPS Office. How can you effortlessly incorporate the number of days to a date in Excel with WPS Office? Delve into this article for a comprehensive guide that provides the answer you seek.

Part 1: Add Days to Date in Excel Using WPS Office: Basic Arithmetic

In this section, we'll delve into the fundamental techniques of adding days to dates within Excel using WPS Office.

Using "+" Operator

The first approach we'll cover involves the straightforward use of the "+" operator. This method allows for direct addition of a specific number of days to a given date. Here's how:

Let's say you have a project start date in cell A2 (e.g., "2023-08-01") and want to add 5 days.

Step 1 Select the cell where you want the result.

pick a cell

Step 2 In the formula bar, type "=A2+5" and press Enter.

enter formula



Step 3 The result cell will display the new date ("2023-08-06").

Result




Adding Cell Location

Another efficient method involves utilizing cell references to incorporate the number of days from a separate cell. By linking the day count to a designated cell, you gain flexibility in adjusting the calculation without rewriting formulas. This method is particularly handy when dealing with dynamic datasets that require regular updates.

Assuming you have the number of days to add in cell B2 (e.g., "5"), and the project start date is still in cell A2.

Step 1 Select the cell where you want the result.

Select cell


Step 2 In the formula bar, type "=A2+B2" and press Enter.

type a2+b2


Step 3 The result cell will display the new date ("2023-08-06"), assuming B2 holds the value "5".

the result

By mastering these basic arithmetic methods, you can swiftly add days into your Excel dates using WPS Office.

Part 2: Advanced Excel Date Calculations in WPS : Add Days to Date

In this section, we'll explore more advanced methods for incorporating days into dates using WPS Office

EDATE Function

The EDATE function empowers you to add or subtract months from a date in Excel. Here's how:

Consider a scenario where you need to determine a project's end date by adding 3 months to the start date (cell A2, e.g., "2023-08-01").

Step 1 Select the cell where you want the result.

Step 2 In the formula bar, type "=EDATE(A2, 3)" and press Enter.

edate formula


Step 3 The result cell will display the new date ("2023-11-01").

Edate result


TODAY Function for Current Dates

The TODAY function dynamically generates the current date. Here's how you can use it:

Suppose you want to add the number of days to today's date (e.g 15 days )

Step 1 Select the cell where you want the result.

Step 2 In the formula bar, type "=TODAY() + 15 " and press Enter.

Today function


Step 3 The result cell will display

Result

Part3 : How to Change Date Formats in WPS?

Changing date formats in WPS Office is essential for presenting data effectively. Here's how:

Step 1 Select the cell containing the date you want to format.

Step 2 In the Home tab's Number group, click the arrow beside the text box select More Number Formats

select More Number Formats

Step 3 Navigate to the Date category in the Format Cells window, accessible from the dropdown menu.

Select Date

Step 4 Opt for a date format influenced by language and regional settings from the Locale drop-down menu in the Type group.

pick a type

Step 5 Select your preferred format and click OK at the window's base. The chosen cells' dates will adapt to the new format.

New format



Excel's date format flexibility adapts to various contexts:

  • Short Date (e.g., 08/31/2023): Quick reference, especially in tables or charts.

  • Long Date (e.g., August 31, 2023): Formal documents, reports, or presentations.

  • Custom Formats (e.g., 31-Aug-2023): Balancing clarity and space in concise displays.

Part 4: Why is WPS Better for You?

WPS Office



WPS Office is a free and open-source office suite that is a great alternative to Microsoft Office. It is compatible with Microsoft Office documents, so you can easily open, edit, and save files in both programs. WPS Office also has a number of advantages over Microsoft Office, including:

  • Price: WPS Office is free to use for personal and commercial purposes. Microsoft Office, on the other hand, requires a subscription fee.

  • Ease of use: WPS Office is very easy to use, even for beginners. The interface is similar to Microsoft Office, so you won't have to learn a new program if you switch.

  • Capability: WPS supports prevalent file formats like DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, and PDF. Additionally, it includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation software, and a PDF reader.

  • Customer service: WPS Office has excellent customer service that is available 24/7. If you have any problems with the program, you can contact customer support for help.

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FAQs

How do I add days of the week to a date in Excel?

Click Custom under Category, and then input dddd for the complete name of the day of the week (Monday, Tuesday, and so on), or ddd for the truncated name of the day of the week (Mon, Tue, Wed, and so on) in the input box.

How do I write formulas in WPS Office?

To insert and format equations using the Equation Editor in your document, open the document and go to the "Insert" tab. From there, select "Equation" and choose "Equation Editor." In the Equation Editor, find the menu bar at the top and commonly used formula commands beneath it. Hover over these commands to see corresponding symbols. Write your formula accordingly. Once done, click "File" and select "Update" at the upper left corner to insert the formula into the document. For better aesthetics, use "Picture Tools" to adjust the formula's appearance.

How to add days to date or excluding weekends and holidays?

You may add days omitting weekends as follows: To obtain the result, choose a blank cell and enter the formula =WORKDAY(A2,B2), followed by the Enter key. Tip: In the calculation, A2 is the start date, and B2 is the number of days to be added.

Summary

In this comprehensive tutorial, we've covered three intuitive methods to add days to dates using WPS Office within Excel. Beginning with basic arithmetic, we demonstrated the simplicity of the "+" operator for direct date addition or referencing cells for day counts. Moving forward, we delved into advanced techniques, showcasing the EDATE function for month-based calculations and the TODAY function for real-time date generation.

Lastly, we highlighted WPS Office's strengths as a cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Office. Its user-friendly interface, broad file compatibility, and attentive customer support make it a compelling choice for various needs. By mastering these techniques, readers can confidently manipulate dates in Excel using WPS Office while capitalizing on its benefits, all while ensuring accurate and efficient data handling.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.