Convert Text to Date in Excel
The easiest way to turn text strings into Excel dates
Sometimes you may notice that Excel does not allow you to perform any calculations with your dates. The cause of the issue is likely that your dates are formatted as text. To quickly cope with text dates nuisance, we have created the Text to Date add-in. This simple tool effortlessly converts text strings of different formats into dates without formulas and VBA.
Free downloadincluded in Ablebits Ultimate Suite
- For desktop Excel included in Microsoft 365
and Excel 2024 – 2016 - .exe setup, signed with Extended Validation
Code Signing Certificate - 14-day free trial. No credit card required.
For Microsoft Excel 365, 2024 – 2016
With Excel Text to Date you will
- Get text strings converted into dates Parse 500+ combinations representing dates in a text format and convert them to normal Excel dates.
- Choose a suitable order of days, months, years Define how date units are arranged in your cells to make the conversion more precise.
- Decide whether to ignore time or not If your entries contain dates and times, you can choose to exclude times and focus on dates only.
- Color values that are not converted Highlight unchanged records in red to easily spot them among the conversion results.
How to convert text to date in Excel
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Frequently asked questions
What is Text to Date and what do I need it for?
Text to Date is a simple tool within the Ultimate Suite add-in for Excel that helps you convert text strings into dates. Thereafter, you will be able to sort and filter your table by date and do different calculations with your dates.
Can't I convert text to date in Excel by using the DATEVALUE function?
Yes, you can, but this standard function does not process as many delimiters and combinations of date units as our tool does. Besides, Text to Date can process time in contrast to the Excel function. Moreover, DATEVALUE just converts a text string to a date serial number, so you have to apply a date format to a cell afterwards.
I have text strings that are formatted differently, is it possible to convert them all at a time?
Yes, the Text to Date utility can parse 500+ combinations of dates and times in one go. Just specify the order in which days, months, years are presented in your cells. For example, if your text dates are formatted as dd/mm/yy, dd-mm-yyyy, ddmmyy, or dd mm yyyy, pick the Day Month Year option and the tool will convert all of them to your default date format. You can find more details on how to convert text to date with our tool on this help page.
Will I see the records that have not been converted?
Yes, simply tick off the Mark not converted cells option in the add-in window and get unchanged entries highlighted in red.
Does the tool work with both date and time?
Yes, the tool can convert text values containing both dates and times. To process the dates only, check the Exclude time box in the add-in window.
In what format will I get my dates in result?
The converted data will appear in the default date format that is specified in your system's regional settings.
Will my original data be overwritten with the converted dates?
No worries, the column with your original data will stay intact. The add-in will insert a new column with the converted dates to the right of your original one.
System requirements
Microsoft Excel- Excel included in Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365)
- Excel 2024
- Excel 2021
- Excel 2019
- Excel 2016
- Note! Office Insider is not supported
Windows- Windows 11 on PCs (x86)
- Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs (x86 and ARM)
- Windows 11 on Macs (Parallels, Intel and Apple M)
- Windows 10
- Note! Windows Insider is not supported
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Text to Date + 70 other time-saving tools in one powerful suite
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