Datediff in excel vba

DateDiff Function in Excel VBA

VBA Datediff function provides the difference between two specified intervals. Here, the interval may be specified as hours/months/days… etc. as specified by the user. It is an inbuilt function in Excel and categorized as the “Date/Time” function. It can be used as a “VBA” function in Excel.

Syntax:

Parameters of DateDiff Function in Excel VBA

Parameter or Arguments used in DateDiff function.

1. Interval:

• It is mandatory.
• Type:- String type expression.
• It calculates the difference between the two dates.

Setting(interval)	Description/Explanation
“s”	Seconds
“n”	Minutes
“h”	Hours
“d”	Days
“w”	Weekday
“m”	Months
“ww”	Week
“y”	Day of the year
“q”	Quarter
“yyyy”	Year

2. Date1:

•  It is mandatory.
• Type:- Date.
• It represents the start date/time for the calculation of datediff.

3. Date2:

• It is mandatory.
• Type:- Date.
• It represents the end date/time for the calculation of datediff.

4. First day of the week:

• It is optional.
• Type:- Numeric or Text.
• It specifies the day that is used as the first day of the week.
• If this argument or parameter is omitted, it assumes Sunday(VbSunday) as the first day of the week.

5. First week of the year

• It is optional.
• Type:- Numeric or Text.
• It specifies the day that is used as the first week of the year.
• If this argument or parameter is omitted, it assumes January 1^st  (vbFirstJan1)as the first week of the year.

How to Enable Developer’s Tab in Excel?

The developer tab is mandatory on the Excel ribbon to start and write VBA macro. Below are the different steps to enable developers tab in excel VBA:

Step 1: Go to the File menu tab.

Step 2: In the File menu, click on Options situated at the last of the list available options under the menu.

 

Step 3: Click on Customize Ribbon to access the ribbon customization options.

Step 4: Here in the customization options, you can see the Developer option. Checkmark it, so that it gets activated on the main ribbon of excel and can easily be accessed. Click OK after checking the Developer option.

As soon as you hit OK, you can see the Developer tab active in the Excel ribbon menu with a bunch of different options available under. See the screenshot below.

How to Use the DateDiff Function in Excel VBA?

Below are the different steps to use the DateDiff Function in Excel VBA:

You can download this VBA DateDiff Excel Template here – VBA DateDiff Excel Template

Example #1

In this example, follow the below steps to use DateDiff Function in VBA:

Step 1: First create a macro name.

Code:

Sub bb()

End Sub

Step 2: Two variables are defined as date and assigned date to them.

Code:

Sub bb()

Dim dt1 As Date
Dim dt2 As Date
dt1 = #1/1/2010 9:00:00 AM#
dt2 = #4/19/2019 11:00:00 AM#

End Sub

Step 3: Write the syntax of the Datediff function taking the required argument and assign the same through the VBA message box.

Code:

Sub bb()

Dim dt1 As Date
Dim dt2 As Date
dt1 = #1/1/2010 9:00:00 AM#
dt2 = #4/19/2019 11:00:00 AM#
MsgBox DateDiff("h", dt1, dt2)

End Sub

Step 4: Run the code by pressing the F5 key or by clicking on the Play button. So that the result will be displayed in the message box.

Example #2

In the below example, the datediff function calculates the number of years between the two dates “09/06/2016” and “16/12/2020”. Here, optional parameters are not taken into consideration.

Code:

Sub AA()

'Year difference
MsgBox DateDiff("yyyy", "09/06/2016", "16/12/2020")

End Sub

To run the program press the “F8” or “Run” tab. The result will be displayed in the message box.

Example #3

In the below example, the datediff function calculates the number of months between the two dates ”09/06/2016” and “16/12/2020”. Here, optional parameters are not taken into consideration.

Code:

Sub AA1()

'month difference
MsgBox DateDiff("m", "09/06/2016", "16/12/2020")

End Sub

To run the program press the “F8” or “Run” tab. The result will be displayed in the message box.

Example #4

In the below example, the datediff function calculates the number of weeks between in the two dates ”09/06/2016” and “16/12/2020”. Here, optional parameters are not taken into consideration.

Code:

Sub AA2()

'weeks difference
MsgBox DateDiff("ww", "09/06/2016", "16/12/2020")

End Sub

To run the program press the “F8” or “Run” tab. The result will be displayed in the message box.

Example #5

In the below example, the “datediff” function calculates the number of quarters between the two dates” 09/06/2016” and “16/12/2020”. Here, optional parameters are not taken into consideration.

Code:

Sub AA3()

'quarter difference
MsgBox DateDiff("q", "09/06/2016", "16/12/2020")

End Sub

To run the program press the “F8” or “Run” tab. The result will be displayed in the message box.

Example #6

In the below example, the “datediff” function calculates the number of days between the two dates” 09/06/2016” and “16/12/2020”. Here, optional parameters are not taken into consideration.

Code:

Sub AA4()

'days difference
MsgBox DateDiff("d", "09/06/2016", "16/12/2020")

End Sub

To run the program press the “F8” or “Run” tab. The result will be displayed in the message box.

Example #7

In the below example, the “datediff”  function calculates the number of hours between the two dates and time ”9:00 on  01/01/ 2010” and “11:00 on 19/04/ 2019”.

Code:

Sub bb1()

'Calculate the numberof hours between 1/1/2010 9:00 and 19/4/2019 11:00
Dim dt1 As Date
Dim dt2 As Date
dt1 = #1/1/2010 9:00:00 AM#
dt2 = #4/19/2019 11:00:00 AM#
MsgBox DateDiff("h", dt1, dt2)

End Sub

To run the program press the “F8” or “Run” tab. The result will be displayed in the message box.

Example #8

In the below example, the “datediff” function calculates the number of seconds between the two dates and time ”9:00 on  01/01/ 2010” and “11:00 on 19/04/ 2019”.

Code:

Sub bb2()

'Calculate the number of seconds between 1/1/2010 9:00 and 19/4/2019 11:00
Dim dt1 As Date
Dim dt2 As Date
dt1 = #1/1/2010 9:00:00 AM#
dt2 = #4/19/2019 11:00:00 AM#
MsgBox DateDiff("s", dt1, dt2)

End Sub

To run the program press the “F8” or “Run” tab. The result will be displayed in the message box.

Example #9

In the below example, the “datediff” function calculates the number of minutes between the two dates and time ”9:00 on  01/01/ 2010” and “11:00 on 19/04/ 2019”.

Code:

Sub bb3()

'Calculate the number of minutes between 1/1/2010 9:00 and 19/4/2019 11:00
Dim dt1 As Date
Dim dt2 As Date
dt1 = #1/1/2010 9:00:00 AM#
dt2 = #4/19/2019 11:00:00 AM#
MsgBox DateDiff("n", dt1, dt2)

End Sub

To run the program press the “F8” or “Run” tab. The result will be displayed in the message box.

Example #10

 If the argument is specified as “w”(weeks), the “Datediff” function returns the number of the whole week between the two dates. Partial weeks are ignored. In the example, the “DateDiff” function calculates the number of whole weeks between the dates 01/01/2010 and 19/4/2019.

Code:

Sub bb4()

'Calculate the number of weeks between 1/1/2010 and 19/4/2010
Dim dt1 As Date
Dim dt2 As Date
dt1 = #1/1/2010#
dt2 = #4/19/2010#
MsgBox DateDiff("w", dt1, dt2)

End Sub

To run the program press the “F8” or “Run” tab. The result will be displayed in the message box.

Example #11

If the argument is specified as “ww”(calendar weeks), the “Datediff” function provides the number of weeks between the start of the week containing  Date1 and the start of the week containing Date2.

Code:

Sub bb5()

'Calculate the number of calendar weeks between 1/1/2010 and 19/4/2019
' First day of the week = Monday
Dim dt1 As Date
Dim dt2 As Date
dt1 = #1/1/2010#
dt2 = #4/19/2019#
MsgBox DateDiff("ww", dt1, dt2, vbMonday)

End Sub

To run the program press the “F8” or “Run” tab. The result will be displayed in the message box.

Example #12

In the below example, “datediff” function is used for dates”1/1/1990” and  “1/1/1998”

Code:

Sub cc()

Dim dt1 As Date
Dim dt2 As Date
dt1 = #1/1/1990 9:00:00 AM#
dt2 = #1/11/1998 11:00:00 AM#
MsgBox ("line 1:" & DateDiff("h", dt1, dt2))
MsgBox ("line 2:" & DateDiff("s", dt1, dt2))
MsgBox ("line 3:" & DateDiff("n", dt1, dt2))
MsgBox ("line 4:" & DateDiff("d", dt1, dt2))
MsgBox ("line 5:" & DateDiff("m", dt1, dt2))
MsgBox ("line 6:" & DateDiff("q", dt1, dt2))
MsgBox ("line 7:" & DateDiff("w", dt1, dt2))
MsgBox ("line 8:" & DateDiff("ww", dt1, dt2))
MsgBox ("line 9:" & DateDiff("y", dt1, dt2))
MsgBox ("line 10:" & DateDiff("yyyy", dt1, dt2))

End Sub

To run the program press the “F8” or “Run” tab. The result will be displayed in the message box.

Then, click on “Ok” to get the next result.

Conclusion

“DateDiff” function thus helps in determining how many specified time intervals exist between two specified dates and times.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to VBA DateDiff. Here we discuss how to use DateDiff function in Excel VBA along with practical examples and downloadable excel template. You can also go through our other suggested articles –

1. VBA Declare Array
2. VBA on Error
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DateDiff function in VBA is an inbuilt function in VBA, categorized under the Date and Time function in VBA. We can use this function to get the difference between two dates. This function takes three arguments. The first argument is what part of the difference we want, which can be years, days or months, or seconds and two dates, and the result is an integer.

The DateDiff function in VBA calculates the difference between two dates in days, months, quarters, and years.

In Excel, finding the difference between two dates has many ways. You do not need a special formula to calculate the difference between two dates.

For example, look at the below image.

If we want to calculate the difference between these two dates, we can subtract date 1 from date 2.

It has given us the difference between two dates in several days. However, it is a problem with this generic formula. If we need the difference in months, years, quarters, etc., it cannot give.

This article will show you how to use this DateDiff function in VBA.

What is the DATEDIFF Function in Excel VBA?

The Datediff in VBA stands for “Date Difference between two dates.”

This function can give us the number of the time interval between two dates. When we want to find the difference between two dates, we can find it in days, weeks, months, quarters, etc.

To understand the function, look at the below syntax of the function.

Interval: This is nothing but in what way you want to calculate the date difference. The same list is below, whether in days, months, weeks, quarters, etc.

Date 1: What is the first date you want to find the difference?

Date 2: What is the second date you want to find the difference from Date 1?

Here, the formula is Date 2 – Date 1.

[First Day of Week]: What is the first day of the week? We can agree with the following arguments.

[First Week Of the Year]: What is the year’s first week? 

[First Week Of the Year]: What is the year’s first week? We can enter the following arguments.

Examples of DATEDIFF Function in Excel VBA

The following are examples of Excel VBA DateDiff.

You can download this VBA DateDiff Function Template here – VBA DateDiff Function Template

Example #1 – To Find Differences in Days

Assume you have two dates, “15-01-2018” and “15-01-2019”. Let’s find all kinds of differences between these two dates.

Step 1: Create a macro name first.

Code:

Sub DateDiff_Example1()

End Sub

Step 2: Define Two Variables as Date.

Code:

Sub DateDiff_Example1()

   Dim Date1 As Date
   Dim Date2 As Date

End Sub

Step 3: Now, for the Date1 variable, assign “15-01-2018,” and for the Date2 variable, assign “15-01-2019.”

Code:

Sub DateDiff_Example1()

   Dim Date1 As Date
   Dim Date2 As Date

   Date1 = "15-01-2018"
   Date2 = "15-01-2019"

End Sub

Step 4: Now, define one more variable, “As Long,” to store results.

Code:

Sub DateDiff_Example1()

   Dim Date1 As Date
   Dim Date2 As Date
   
   Dim Result As Long

   Date1 = "15-01-2018"
   Date2 = "15-01-2019"
End Sub

Step 5: Now, assign the value for this variable through the DateDiff function in VBA.

Code:

Sub DateDiff_Example1()

   Dim Date1 As Date
   Dim Date2 As Date

   Dim Result As Long

   Date1 = "15-01-2018"
   Date2 = "15-01-2019"

Result =DateDiff(

End Sub

Step 6: The first argument is what kind of difference we need between these dates. We need to find the number of days, so supply the argument as “D.”

Code:

Sub DateDiff_Example1()
    
    Dim Date1 As Date
    Dim Date2 As Date

    Dim Result As Long

   Date1 = "15-01-2018"
   Date2 = "15-01-2019"

   Result =DateDiff("D",

End Sub

Step 7: What is the first date to find the difference? Our first date is “15-01-2018,” which we have already assigned to the variable “Date1”. So, supply the variable name here.

Code:

Sub DateDiff_Example1()

    Dim Date1 As Date
    Dim Date2 As Date

    Dim Result As Long

    Date1 = "15-01-2018"
    Date2 = "15-01-2019"

    Result =DateDiff("D",Date1,

End Sub

Step 8: What is the second date to find the difference? The second date is “15-01-2019,” which holds the value through the variable “Date2.”.

Code:

Sub DateDiff_Example1()

    Dim Date1 As Date
    Dim Date2 As Date

    Dim Result As Long

    Date1 = "15-01-2018"
    Date2 = "15-01-2019"

    Result = DateDiff("D", Date1, Date2)

End Sub

Step 9: Ignore the last two parameters. Now, assign the variable “Result” value through the VBA message boxVBA MsgBox function is an output function which displays the generalized message provided by the developer. This statement has no arguments and the personalized messages in this function are written under the double quotes while for the values the variable reference is provided.read more.

Code:

Sub DateDiff_Example1()

    Dim Date1 As Date
    Dim Date2 As Date
    Dim Result As Long

    Date1 = "15-01-2018"
    Date2 = "15-01-2019"

    Result = DateDiff("D", Date1, Date2)

    MsgBox Result

End Sub

Now, run the code using the F5 key or manually. We will get the difference between these two dates in numbers.

So, from “15-01-2018” to “15-01-2019,” the exact difference is one year, so we got 365 days.

Like this, we can find the difference between two dates in time intervals.

Example #2 – To Find Difference in Months

Code:

Sub DateDiff_Example2()

   Dim Date1 As Date
   Dim Date2 As Date
   
   Dim Result As Long

   Date1 = "15-01-2018"
   Date2 = "15-01-2019"

   Result = DateDiff("M", Date1, Date2)

   MsgBox Result
End Sub

Run this code using the F5 key. You can run it manually to show the result as given below.

Example #3 – To Find Difference in Years

Code:

Sub DateDiff_Example3()

   Dim Date1 As Date
   Dim Date2 As Date

   Dim Result As Long

  Date1 = "15-01-2018"
  Date2 = "15-01-2019"

  Result = DateDiff("YYYY", Date1, Date2)

  MsgBox Result

End Sub

Run this code using the F5 key or manually to see the result.

Assignment as a Practice

We hope you have understood the function of VBA DateDiff. Take a look at the below homework for you. Find the difference between the below dates in “Months.”

If you have not found the way, below is the readymade code.

Code:

Sub Assignment()

    Dim k As Long

    For k = 2 To 8
        Cells(k, 3).Value = DateDiff("M", Cells(k, 1), Cells(k, 2))
    Next k

End Sub

You can run this code manually or press the F5 key to see the result.

Recommended Articles

This article is a guide to VBA DateDiff Function. Here we learn how to use DateDiff Function to find differences in days, months, and years in Excel VBA, practical examples, and a downloadable template. Below you can find some useful Excel VBA articles: –

• DATE Function in Excel
• Date Excel Format
• Date Function in VBA
• DateAdd in VBA
• VBA COUNTA