How Do I Import a Date into Google Sheets?

You can import dates into Google Sheets in various ways, depending on your data source and desired format. Here are a few common methods:

1. Manual Entry

• Directly type the date: Simply type the date in the desired format (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY, DD/MM/YYYY, YYYY-MM-DD). Google Sheets will automatically recognize it as a date.
• Use the date function: You can use the DATE function to create a date from individual components: =DATE(year, month, day). For example, =DATE(2023, 12, 25) will create the date December 25, 2023.

2. Importing from a File

• Import from a CSV or Excel file: You can import data directly from a CSV or Excel file. Google Sheets will automatically detect and format dates based on the file's format.
• Copy and paste: Copy the date from another source (e.g., a website, document) and paste it into a Google Sheet cell. Ensure the date is formatted correctly in the source.

3. Using Formulas

• Convert text to date: If your date is stored as text, you can use the DATEVALUE function to convert it to a date. For example, =DATEVALUE("12/25/2023") will convert the text "12/25/2023" to a date.
• Extract date from a text string: You can use the REGEXEXTRACT function to extract a date from a text string. For example, =REGEXEXTRACT(A1, "\d{1,2}/\d{1,2}/\d{4}") will extract the date from cell A1 if it's in the format "MM/DD/YYYY."

4. Using Google Forms

• Collect dates through a form: Create a Google Form and include a date question. The responses will be automatically imported into a Google Sheet with the date formatted correctly.

Remember to format the date cells in Google Sheets to your desired display style after importing the data. You can do this by selecting the cells and going to Format > Number > Date.