Datevalue function

[Guest]

I am trying to use the datevalue function to convert a column of dates to the serial numbers which represent those dates in another column. When I type in the cell address the serial number comes up in the function box but when I hit OK #VALUE comes up in the cell where I am trying to see them. How do I fix this please?

 

[Andy B]

Jenny

DATEVALUE is for converting text to dates. If you want to see the serial
number that your dates represent, just reformat the cell as General.

Andy.

I am trying to use the datevalue function to convert a column of dates to

the serial numbers which represent those dates in another column. When I
type in the cell address the serial number comes up in the function box but
when I hit OK #VALUE comes up in the cell where I am trying to see them. How
do I fix this please?

 

[Paul]

I am trying to use the datevalue function to convert a column of dates to

the serial numbers which represent those dates in another column. When I
type in the cell address the serial number comes up in the function box but
when I hit OK #VALUE comes up in the cell where I am trying to see them. How
do I fix this please?

DATEVALUE will convert text that "looks like" a date into a real date. Are
you actually starting with text? Perhaps you are starting with real dates,
which will give the behaviour you describe. If so, you don't need to use
DATEVALUE; you just format the cell with the date in it as a number (or
general). (Or, if you want to see the date and serial number side by side,
say in A1 and B1, just put the formula =A1 in cell B1 and format B1 as
general.)

 

[Earl Kiosterud]

Or if you need to keep the dates formatted as dates, use

=VALUE(A2)

Format General, number, etc.