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How To Change Birthday To Date In Google Sheets

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    How to Change Birthday to Date in Google Sheets

    Changing a birthday to a date format in Google Sheets can streamline your data management. This guide will show you the steps to perform this task efficiently.

    We will also explore why Sourcetable is a better alternative to using Google Sheets. Sourcetable makes it easy to become an advanced spreadsheet user faster as an AI-first spreadsheet. It makes it simple to answer questions about your spreadsheets, build formulas and queries, and automate any spreadsheet task.

    Google Sheets: How to Change Birthday to Date

    Using DATEDIF and TODAY() to Calculate Age

    The DATEDIF function in Google Sheets calculates the total number of days, months, or years between two dates. Utilize DATEDIF with TODAY() to determine age from a Date of Birth (DOB). TODAY() returns the current date, making it easy to update age calculations dynamically. Specify the start date (DOB), end date (TODAY()), and a unit of measurement (e.g., "Y" for years) to get the desired age.

    Applying Custom Date Formatting

    To change how birthday dates are displayed, apply custom formatting in Google Sheets. Select the data, navigate to Format > Number > Custom date and time. Choose or create a custom date format in the text box. Date formats availability depends on the spreadsheet locale settings. For more specific formats, add detailed date values directly from the menu text box.

    Converting Text to Date Using DATEVALUE

    Convert text strings to date values using the DATEVALUE function in Google Sheets. The DATEVALUE function changes text representing dates into actual date values. Ensure the date string is in a format recognized by Google Sheets to avoid a #VALUE! error. This function is helpful for standardizing date formats within a spreadsheet.

    Handling Google Sheets Date Storage

    Google Sheets stores dates as integers, where each integer corresponds to a specific date. For example, the integer 1 represents December 31, 1899. Change the date format by selecting Format > Number > Date or Date time. Understanding this storage mechanism is essential for accurate date manipulation and formatting.

    Using Functions to Adjust Date Formats

    The TEXT function changes the date format only in the column where it is applied. For broader changes, use the QUERY function, which can format dates across multiple columns. Correct syntax is required for the QUERY function to work. Custom date formats can also convert dates like 20220629 into standard date formats by using the DATE function taking year, month, and day as arguments.

    Automating Date Formatting with Bardeen

    Bardeen automates the conversion of text to dates and other formatting tasks in Google Sheets. This can save time and reduce errors in manually adjusting date formats. Utilize Bardeen to streamline the process of standardizing and formatting birthday dates and other similar data entries.

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    Google Sheets: How to Change Birthday to Date

    1. Custom Date Formats for Birthdays

    Google Sheets allows you to use custom date formats for birthday data. By utilizing the TEXT function or the QUERY function with appropriate text codes (d, m, y), you can display birthdays in various formats such as MM/DD/YYYY, DD/MM/YYYY, or even custom formats like DD MMMM YYYY. Leveraging these built-in instruments can improve readability and data consistency.

    2. Converting Numerical Birthdays to Date Format

    If your birthday data is stored as numbers (e.g., 20220629), use the DATE function in combination with LEFT, MID, and RIGHT functions to extract year, month, and day components and convert them into a date. This method ensures that all numerical birthday entries are accurately converted to a standard date format, making them easier to manipulate and analyze.

    3. Automating Date Format Changes

    Using the ARRAYFORMULA function, you can automatically convert multiple rows of birthday data to the desired date format. This is particularly useful when dealing with large datasets, as it eliminates the need for manual adjustments, ensuring all dates adhere to a consistent format.

    4. Displaying Dates in Queries

    For advanced data manipulation, the QUERY function can change the date format within your queries. By adding the format keyword, you can ensure that the dates displayed in your query results match the desired format. This ability to customize date display directly in queries enhances the versatility and functionality of your data analysis.

    5. Calculating Age from Birthdays

    To calculate age from a birthday in Google Sheets, employ functions like DATEDIF and YEARFRAC alongside TODAY(). These functions compute the total number of years, months, or days between the birthday and the current date, providing a precise age calculation. Automating age calculation across multiple rows can be achieved using ARRAYFORMULA.

    6. Formatting Birthday Data for Different Regions

    Google Sheets supports various regional date formats, such as MM/DD/YYYY for the US, DD/MM/YYYY for Europe, and YYYY/MM/DD for Japan. Utilize custom date formats to ensure that your birthday data is presented in the appropriate format for your audience's geographical location, enhancing clarity and reducing entry errors.

    7. Converting Dates to Text

    The TEXT function in Google Sheets can be used to convert birthday dates into text format. This is useful for generating human-readable representations of dates in reports or documents. The conversion also allows for the incorporation of dates into text strings, such as birthday greetings or notifications.

    8. Converting Dates to Numbers for Analysis

    Sometimes, converting birthday dates to numerical values is necessary for specific types of analysis. The DATEVALUE function accomplishes this conversion, enabling numerical operations on date data. This can be particularly useful for sorting and filtering datasets based on time-related criteria.

    Comparing Google Sheets and Sourcetable

    Google Sheets has been a go-to spreadsheet application for many users, offering basic data management and collaborative features. However, Sourcetable introduces an AI-first approach that drastically changes the landscape of spreadsheet management.

    Sourcetable's AI assistant significantly simplifies the creation of complex spreadsheet formulas and SQL queries. When faced with tasks such as changing a birthday to a date format—commonly a cumbersome process in Google Sheets—Sourcetable's AI handles it effortlessly.

    Moreover, Sourcetable integrates with over five hundred data sources, allowing you to search and answer any question about your data seamlessly. This flexibility is unparalleled in Google Sheets, which requires manual imports and complex formula writing.

    If you often search "google sheets how to change birthday to date," Sourcetable provides a more efficient alternative. Its AI-driven capabilities make advanced, time-consuming spreadsheet tasks accessible to anyone, removing the need for detailed technical know-how.

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    How to Change Birthday to Date in Sourcetable

    To change a birthday to a date format in Sourcetable, follow these steps:

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I convert a birthday text to a date in Google Sheets?

    Use the DATEVALUE function with the syntax DATEVALUE(date_string) to convert text to a date, ensuring the date_string is in a recognized format.

    How can I format a birthday date in Google Sheets to appear in a specific format?

    Use FORMAT > NUMBER > CUSTOM DATE AND TIME to change the date format, or use the TEXT function to convert dates to text and specify the format.

    What functions can I use to convert a date in the YYYYMMDD format to a proper date in Google Sheets?

    Use the LEFT, MID, and RIGHT functions to extract the year, month, and day, then use the DATE function to combine them into a date.

    How can I change the date format for birthdays to another locale?

    Change the locale settings in Google Sheets, and use the QUERY function to change the date format according to the locale.

    What is the standard date format for birthdays in Google Sheets for the US region?

    The standard date format for birthdays in Google Sheets for the US region is MM/DD/YYYY.

    Can I calculate age from a birthday in Google Sheets?

    Yes, use the DATEDIF function with TODAY() to calculate age from DOB, with DATEDIF requiring a start date, end date, and unit of measurement.

    How can I apply a date format to multiple rows of birthday entries in Google Sheets?

    Use the ARRAYFORMULA function to apply a date format across multiple rows.

    How can I convert complex text dates in Google Sheets to a date?

    Use the MID, LEFT, and RIGHT functions with the DATE function to extract and combine year, month, and day from complex text dates.

    Conclusion

    Changing a birthday to a date in Google Sheets can be straightforward once you know the steps.

    Sourcetable makes answering these questions easy with its AI-powered capabilities.

    Integrating with third-party tools, Sourcetable allows real-time data access in a user-friendly interface.

    Automate reports and solve any data query effortlessly with Sourcetable AI.

    Try Sourcetable today.

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