What it does
EDATE returns a date the specified number of months before or after a start date.
Syntax or pattern
=EDATE(start_date, months)✅
5 practical examples
1
Add one month
Return the same day next month.
=EDATE(A2,1)Useful for subscriptions.
2
Add twelve months
Calculate renewal date.
=EDATE(A2,12)Common for contracts.
3
Go back six months
Find a date six months earlier.
=EDATE(A2,-6)Negative offsets go backward.
4
Create next review date
Add three months to a review date.
=EDATE(A2,3)Useful in HR and operations.
5
Monthly schedule
Generate next period date.
=EDATE(StartDate,ROW(A1)-1)Can help build schedules.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Check whether dates are real Excel dates, not text.
- Be careful with weekends, holidays and time portions.
- Explain whether a result counts calendar days or workdays.
Related Excel examples
FAQ
Why does the date formula return a number?
Excel stores dates as serial numbers. Format the cell as a date to display it correctly.