Microsoft KB Archive/113632

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

XL: Docerr: Arguments in Date Functions Can Be Text
Last reviewed: March 27, 1997

Article ID: Q113632

5.00 7.00 | 5.00

WINDOWS  | MACINTOSH kbother kbdocerr

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0
 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 5.0
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SUMMARY
In Microsoft Excel Help, the remarks section for each of the functions below indicates that both of the arguments for the functions must be numeric:

EDATE EOMONTH NETWORKDAYS WORKDAY This information is incorrect, either argument can be text.

MORE INFORMATION
In addition, page 86 of the Microsoft Press book "Microsoft Excel 5 Worksheet Function Reference" states the following in the Remarks section for the EDATE function:

If either argument is non-numeric, EDATE returns the #VALUE! error value. This information is incorrect. Either argument can be entered as text. The example on this page indicates that the DATEVALUE function must be used within the function to convert the date represented by text to a serial number. However, this information is incorrect, the date can be entered as text and the function will work properly.

NOTE: Earlier versions of Microsoft Excel DID require that both arguments in these functions be numeric.