How do I use DAY Function in Excel & Sheets to extract the day from a specific date?

To extract the day from a specific date, use the formula: =DAY("2025-03-15"). Basic Date Extraction This formula returns: 15.

How can I optimize DAY Function in Excel & Sheets performance?

To optimize DAY Function in Excel & Sheets: 1) Use specific ranges instead of entire columns, 2) Avoid volatile functions within DAY Function in Excel & Sheets, 3) Consider array formulas for bulk operations, 4) Cache results when possible. AskFormulas automatically applies optimization best practices.

What is the syntax for DAY Function in Excel & Sheets?

The DAY Function in Excel & Sheets syntax in Excel is: =DAY(serial_number). It takes 1 parameter(s): serial_number (required).

How do I use DAY Function in Excel & Sheets to get the day from a date stored in another cell?

To get the day from a date stored in another cell, use the formula: =DAY(A2). Extract Day from Cell Reference This formula returns: 28.

Can DAY Function in Excel & Sheets handle input in Excel?

Yes, DAY Function in Excel & Sheets can handle input. For example: =DAY("2025-03-15") will extract the day from a specific date. This returns: 15

DAY Function in Excel & Sheets

Extract the day number from any date with the DAY function. Learn syntax, examples, and solutions to common errors for both Excel and Google Sheets.

Excel

Google Sheets

date-time

beginner

Syntax Preview

Excel

Google Sheets

=DAY(serial_number)

Quick Answer

Comprehensive Explanation

## Comprehensive Explanation

### What is the DAY Function?

The DAY function is one of Excel and Google Sheets' fundamental date-time functions, designed to extract the day component from any date value. First introduced in early Excel versions, it has become essential for users who need to analyze dates at the day level, create date-based reports, or build custom date formatting solutions.

### Core Functionality

At its core, DAY operates by converting date serial numbers into their day component. The function processes data by first recognizing the date input (whether it's a serial number, date string, or cell reference), then extracting just the day portion while discarding the month and year components. This methodology ensures consistent day extraction while maintaining compatibility across different date formats and regional settings.

### When to Use DAY

DAY is the ideal choice when you need to:

1. **Extract Day for Filtering:** When working with large datasets, DAY helps filter records by specific days of the month. For example, finding all transactions that occur on the 15th of any month for payroll processing.

2. **Create Day-Based Calculations:** In situations involving billing cycles or payment schedules, this function extracts the day component for calculations like late fees or pro-rated charges.

3. **Build Custom Date Displays:** For reports requiring non-standard date formats, DAY allows you to extract and reorganize date components exactly as needed.

### Key Advantages Over Manual Methods

While you could manually type day numbers or use text functions to parse dates, DAY distinguishes itself through:

- **Automatic Date Recognition:** Unlike text functions, DAY correctly interprets various date formats
- **Regional Compatibility:** The function works regardless of date format settings (MM/DD/YYYY vs DD/MM/YYYY)
- **Error Prevention:** Better handling of invalid dates compared to manual extraction
- **Formula Efficiency:** Simpler syntax than complex text parsing formulas

### Platform Compatibility

DAY works consistently across platforms with minor terminology differences:

- **Excel 365:** Full support including dynamic arrays when combined with other functions
- **Excel 2019/2016:** Standard implementation with all features
- **Google Sheets:** Identical functionality with slight parameter naming difference (date vs serial_number)
- **Excel Online:** Complete compatibility with desktop versions
- **Mobile Apps:** Full support on iOS and Android Excel/Sheets apps

Note: The function has remained unchanged since its introduction, ensuring backward compatibility with older spreadsheet versions.

Practical Examples

## Step-by-Step Guide

### Step 1: Identify Your Date Source
First, determine where your date is coming from:
- **Direct date entry:** Type the date directly in the formula
- **Cell reference:** Reference a cell containing a date
- **Formula result:** Use the output of another date function like TODAY() or DATE()
- **Date string:** Use a text representation of a date

### Step 2: Enter the DAY Formula
1. Click on the cell where you want the day number to appear
2. Type `=DAY(` to start the formula
3. Enter or select your date source:
   - For direct entry: `=DAY("3/15/2025")` or `=DAY(DATE(2025,3,15))`
   - For cell reference: `=DAY(A2)` where A2 contains a date
   - For current date: `=DAY(TODAY())`
4. Close the parenthesis and press Enter

### Step 3: Verify the Result
The function should return a number between 1 and 31:
- **1-28:** Valid for all months
- **29-30:** Valid for most months (check February for leap years)
- **31:** Valid for January, March, May, July, August, October, December
- **Error:** If you see #VALUE!, check that your input is a valid date

### Step 4: Apply to Multiple Cells
To extract days from multiple dates:
1. Enter the formula in the first cell
2. Click and drag the fill handle (small square in cell's corner) down
3. The formula will automatically adjust cell references
4. Or use array formulas in Excel 365: `=DAY(A2:A100)`

Common Errors and Solutions

#VALUE!

DAY function returns #VALUE! error

Cause:

The input provided is not recognized as a valid date by Excel/Sheets

Solution:

1. Verify the date format matches your regional settings 2. Check for extra spaces or hidden characters using TRIM() 3. Ensure text dates are properly formatted (use DATEVALUE if needed) 4. Convert text to dates using DATE function or Text to Columns

Prevention:

Always validate date inputs using ISDATE (Sheets) or ISNUMBER (Excel) before using DAY

Frequency: 45%

Example:

#NAME?

Excel doesn't recognize the DAY function

Cause:

Typically caused by typos in the function name or using DAY in a very old Excel version

Solution:

1. Check spelling - ensure it's DAY not DAYS or DY 2. Verify Excel version supports the function (all modern versions do) 3. Check if macros or add-ins are interfering 4. Try in a new workbook to rule out corruption

Prevention:

Use Excel's autocomplete feature when typing formulas

Frequency: 20%

Example:

Incorrect Result (Always 0 or 1)

DAY returns unexpected low numbers like 0 or 1

Cause:

Excel is interpreting your date as a number close to zero (January 1900 dates)

Solution:

1. Check if your dates are stored as text (left-aligned in cells) 2. Verify date system settings (1900 vs 1904 date system) 3. Use DATEVALUE to convert text dates: =DAY(DATEVALUE(A2)) 4. Re-enter dates in proper format

Prevention:

Format cells as Date before entering date values

Frequency: 25%

Example:

Regional Date Format Issues

DAY returns wrong day due to MM/DD vs DD/MM confusion

Cause:

Date interpretation differs between regions (US vs European formats)

Solution:

1. Use unambiguous date formats like "15-Mar-2025" 2. Use DATE function: =DAY(DATE(2025,3,15)) 3. Check Windows/Mac regional settings 4. Use ISO format: "2025-03-15"

Prevention:

Standardize date entry using DATE function or ISO format

Frequency: 10%

Example:

Best Practices and Advanced Tips

Create powerful date analyses by combining DAY with MONTH and YEAR. For example, reconstruct dates with specific days: =DATE(YEAR(A2), MONTH(A2), 15) always returns the 15th of the original month.

Use DAY in conditional formatting rules to highlight specific days. For instance, highlight all dates that fall on the 1st of any month with the formula =DAY($A2)=1

Remember that Excel dates start from January 1, 1900 (serial number 1) and go up to December 31, 9999. Dates outside this range will cause errors. Google Sheets has a similar but slightly different date system.

Wrap DAY in IFERROR when working with user-input dates or imported data to handle invalid dates gracefully. This prevents errors from propagating through your spreadsheet.

While DATEDIF is typically used for age, you can use DAY to check if someone's birthday has passed this month: =IF(DAY(birthday)<=DAY(TODAY()), "Passed", "Upcoming")

DAY is a lightweight function with minimal performance impact. When processing thousands of dates, it's still efficient. However, combine with IFERROR only when necessary as error handling adds overhead.

DAY vs Alternative Functions

Real-World Applications

Frequently Asked Questions

## Comparison with Alternatives

### DAY vs TEXT Function
While both can extract day information, they serve different purposes:

| Feature | DAY | TEXT | Best For |
|---------|-----|------|----------|
| Return Type | Number (1-31) | Text string | Calculations vs Display |
| Flexibility | Day only | Any date part | Single purpose vs Formatting |
| Performance | Faster | Slower | Large datasets vs Reports |
| Use in Calculations | Direct | Requires conversion | Math operations vs Labels |

**Example comparison:**
- `=DAY(A2)` returns 15 (number)
- `=TEXT(A2,"DD")` returns "15" (text)
- `=TEXT(A2,"D")` returns "15" without leading zero

### DAY vs MID/RIGHT Functions
Some users try extracting days using text functions:

| Approach | Formula | Reliability | Maintenance |
|----------|---------|-------------|-------------|
| DAY function | =DAY(A2) | High - handles all formats | Easy |
| MID function | =MID(A2,4,2) | Low - position dependent | Difficult |
| RIGHT function | =RIGHT(A2,2) | Low - format dependent | Difficult |

### DAY vs DAYS Function
These are completely different functions:
- **DAY:** Extracts day of month from a single date
- **DAYS:** Calculates number of days between two dates
- **NETWORKDAYS:** Calculates working days between dates

### When to Choose DAY
Use DAY when you need:
- Numeric day for calculations
- Consistent extraction regardless of date format
- Simple, maintainable formulas
- Compatibility across Excel and Google Sheets