This article outlines how to add months to a date in Excel
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How to Make Excel Add Months to Date
In Excel, you can add a number of months to a date[1] using the EDATE function. This can be very useful when performing financial modelingand you are adjusting time periods. This is a step by step guide on how to have Excel Add Months to Date.
For example, if you want to have a monthly financial model, you can add one month to the start date. If you want a quarterly financial model, you can add 3 months to the start date.
Download the Free Excel Template – Add Months to Date
Formula: Excel Add Months to Date
=EDATE(start date, number of months)
(See screenshots and example below)
Example of Adding Months to Date
Follow the steps below to perform this procedure on your own:
Step 1: Ensure the starting date is properly formatted – go to Format Cells (press Ctrl + 1) and make sure the number is set to Date.
Step 2: Use the =EDATE(C3,C5) formula to add the number of specified months to the start date.Where cell C3 is equal to today’s date [the TODAY() function] and cell C5 is equal to the number 3.
Step 3:Make sure the output cell isformatted as a Date, and not as a general number(press Ctrl +1 and select Date)
Congratulations, you have now added months to a date in Excel!
Formula:
Finished product:
It’s as easy as that!
More Excel Training
Thank you for reading CFI’s step by step guide to learning how to add months in Excel. As mentioned above, this is a very common practice in financial modeling and a very useful formula for financial analysts. The best way to become a master at Excel is by practicing… a lot.
To get more practice, check out these additional CFI self-study guides which will show you how to perform advanced functions and formulas:
