Convert Date to Month Name in Google Sheets: 4 Easy Steps

Converting numeric dates to written months in Google Sheets is a common task that enhances readability and data presentation. This process can be achieved through various methods, each catering to different needs and preferences. Let's explore the most effective techniques to convert date to month in Google Sheets.

Direct Conversion Using TEXT Function

The simplest and most straightforward method to convert a numeric date to a written month name involves the TEXT function. This function allows you to format a date in any way you choose, including displaying only the month name.

'=TEXT(A1, "MMMM")'

This formula converts the date in cell A1 to its full month name, such as "January". For a shortened month name like "Jan", use "MMM" in the format code.

Extracting Month Number

If you need the month in a numeric format but with leading zeros (e.g., "01" for January), you can use:

'=TEXT(A1, "MM")'

This method is beneficial when maintaining a uniform format for month numbers is crucial.

Custom Month Names with INDEX and VLOOKUP

For more complex needs, such as custom month names or non-standard abbreviations, Google Sheets offers the flexibility of INDEX and VLOOKUP functions combined with ARRAYFORMULA.

'=INDEX($N$2:$N$13, MONTH(A2))'

This formula allows you to define a custom name for each month in a separate data range ($N$2:$N$13) and then use the MONTH function to match the date's month number to this range.

'=ArrayFormula(IF(A2:A="", "", VLOOKUP(MONTH(A2:A), {1, "Jan"; 2, "Feb"; 3, "Mar"; 4, "Apr"; 5, "May"; 6, "Jun"; 7, "Jul"; 8, "Aug"; 9, "Sep"; 10, "Oct"; 11, "Nov"; 12, "Dec"}, 2, 0)))'

The above ARRAYFORMULA with VLOOKUP dynamically converts a range of dates into their corresponding custom month names, making it ideal for processing multiple rows simultaneously.

Changing Cell Formatting

Another approach involves changing the cell's formatting to display only the month name without altering the cell's value. This method is particularly useful when you want to preserve the original date value while displaying it differently.

1. Select the cell or range containing the dates.
2. Navigate to Format > Number > Custom date and time.
3. Remove the day and year components from the format, leaving only the month component (MMMM for full month name).

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By understanding and applying these methods, users can effectively convert numeric dates to written months in Google Sheets, tailoring the data presentation to their specific needs.

Converting numeric dates to written months in Google Sheets is a simple yet efficient way to enhance data readability and presentation. While this task can be performed manually with built-in functions, automating the process using Bardeen can save time, especially when dealing with large datasets or when this conversion needs to be done repeatedly as part of a larger workflow. Here are some examples of how Bardeen can automate tasks in Google Sheets:

1. Copy Google News for a keyword and save results to Google Sheets: Automate the process of gathering news data for a specific keyword from Google News and saving it directly into a Google Sheets spreadsheet. This playbook can help you stay informed about specific topics without manual searches and data entry.
2. Copy a newly created Asana task to Google Sheets: This playbook is perfect for project management, automatically syncing new tasks created in Asana to a Google Sheets spreadsheet, ensuring your project data is always up to date.
3. Save data from the Google News page to Google Sheets: Similar to the first playbook but focuses on saving data from the Google News page. This automation is great for compiling news articles or reports into a structured Google Sheets document.

Automating tasks in Google Sheets with Bardeen not only saves time but also increases efficiency, allowing you to focus on more strategic tasks. To start automating, download the Bardeen app.