DATEVALUE parses a text string; DATE builds a date from year, month, day numbers.

DATEVALUE Function - Excel Experts

All versions Date & Time

The Excel DATEVALUE function converts a date stored as text into a real date serial number, so you can sort, filter, and do math with dates that arrived as text (from imports, CSVs, or pasted reports).

Quick answer: turn text into a real date:

=DATEVALUE("June 15, 2026") // returns the serial - format it as a date

Syntax

=DATEVALUE(date_text)

Argument		Description
`date_text`	Required	A date written as text, e.g. "15-Jun-2026" or "6/15/2026".

How to use it

The result is a number until you format the cell as a date. DATEVALUE only handles the date portion — for times use TIMEVALUE. A frequent fix for “dates that won’t sort”:

=DATEVALUE(A2) // converts each text date in column A

Remember Excel’s date system: every date is a serial number (days since Jan 1, 1900 — so 1 = that day, 46000-ish = today) and every time is a fraction of a day (0.5 = noon). If a result shows a raw number, just apply a date or time cell format.

Try it: interactive demo

Live demo

Adjust the input and watch the formula and result update.

date text

Result:

Tips & gotchas

Convert a text date into a real date serial so it sorts and calculates. Format result cells as Date or Time so they don’t display raw serial numbers.

Practice workbook

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Download the free DATEVALUE practice workbook

Every example on this page, ready to open in Excel — plus practice challenges with answers on a separate tab. No sign-up required.

Frequently asked questions

Why does DATEVALUE return a number?

It returns the date serial. Format the cell (Ctrl+1 → Date) to display it as a date.

Why do I get #VALUE!?

The text isn’t a recognizable date in your regional settings — e.g. "13/06/2026" on a US system reads month 13. Match the order to your locale or rebuild with DATE.

Do modern Excel versions still need it?

Often not — Excel auto-converts many text dates. DATEVALUE is for stubborn text that stays left-aligned and won’t calculate.

DATEVALUE vs DATE?

DATEVALUE parses a text string; DATE builds a date from separate year, month, day numbers. Use DATE when you already have the parts.

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Related functions: DATE · TODAY · DATEDIF · EOMONTH · TEXT

DATEVALUE Function