Why not to use DATEDIF() - Excel Tips and Tricks

Learn about why not to use DATEDIF() function.

These are the available units in DATEDIFF() function.
"Y" The number of complete years in the period.
"M" The number of complete months in the period.
"D" The number of days in the period.
"MD" The difference between the days in start_date and end_date. The months and years of the dates are ignored.
Important: We don't recommend using the "MD" argument, as there are known limitations with it. See the known issues section below.

"YM" The difference between the months in start_date and end_date. The days and years of the dates are ignored
"YD" The difference between the days of start_date and end_date. The years of the dates are ignored.

* IMPORTANT *
For "MD" Microsoft does not recommend using the "MD" argument, as there are known limitations with it. See the known issues section below.


These are the formulas used on the video.
Number of complete years in the period
=DATEDIF($A$2,$B$2,A5)
OR
=DATEDIF($A$2,$B$2,"Y")

Number of complete months in the period
=DATEDIF($A$2,$B$2,A6)
OR
=DATEDIF($A$2,$B$2,"M")

Number of days in the period.
=DATEDIF($A$2,$B$2,A7)
OR
=DATEDIF($A$2,$B$2,"D")

Difference between the days in start & end date.
Months & years of the dates are ignored.
=DATEDIF($A$2,$B$2,A8)
OR
=DATEDIF($A$2,$B$2,"MD")

Difference between the months in start & end date.
Days & years of the dates are ignored.
=DATEDIF($A$2,$B$2,A9)
OR
=DATEDIF($A$2,$B$2,"YM")

Difference between the days of start & end date.
Years of the dates are ignored.
=DATEDIF($A$2,$B$2,A10)
OR
=DATEDIF($A$2,$B$2,"YD")



DATEDIF function (Microsoft 365 support)
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/datedif-function-25dba1a4-2812-480b-84dd-8b32a451b35c


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