Excel Month Conversion
Converting Month Names to Numbers in Excel: A Comprehensive Guide
Excel is an incredibly powerful tool for data analysis and management, especially when working with dates. One common task users encounter is converting month names to numbers, which can be essential for sorting, filtering, and performing calculations. This guide will provide a step-by-step approach to transforming month names into numbers in Excel using built-in functions and formulas.
Why Convert Month Names to Numbers?
There are several scenarios where converting month names to numbers is necessary, including:
Sorting Data: Alphabetically sorted months (April, August, December, etc.) may not appear in chronological order, whereas numbers (1-12) ensure proper arrangement.
Date Calculations: Numerical month values make it easier to calculate differences between dates.
Pivot Tables & Charts: Many Excel functions and features work more efficiently with numbers rather than text.
Data Consistency: Uniformity in datasets helps in automated processing and analysis.
Methods to Convert Month Names to Numbers
1. Using the MONTH and DATEVALUE Functions
The simplest way to convert month names into numbers is by using the MONTH and DATEVALUE functions. These functions work together to recognize a month’s text and return its corresponding numerical value.
excel month number to name
Formula:
=MONTH(DATEVALUE(A2 & " 1"))
Explanation:
DATEVALUE(A2 & " 1"): Converts the text in cell A2 into a valid date by appending " 1" (e.g., "January 1").
MONTH(...): Extracts the month number from the created date.
Example:
A (Month Name) B (Month Number)
January 1
February 2
March 3
2. Using the SWITCH Function (Excel 2016 and Later)
If you are using Excel 2016 or later, the SWITCH function provides a more direct way to convert month names into numbers.
Formula:
=SWITCH(A2, "January",1, "February",2, "March",3, "April",4, "May",5, "June",6, "July",7, "August",8, "September",9, "October",10, "November",11, "December",12)
Explanation:
This formula explicitly assigns numbers to each month name.
It works well when dealing with a fixed set of values.
3. Using a VLOOKUP Table
For those who prefer a lookup method, you can create a reference table with months and corresponding numbers, then use VLOOKUP to retrieve the month number.
Step 1: Create a Reference Table
Month Name Month Number
January 1
February 2
March 3
... ...
Step 2: Use VLOOKUP Formula
=VLOOKUP(A2, $D$2:$E$13, 2, FALSE)
Explanation:
A2 contains the month name.
$D$2:$E$13 is the lookup range.
2 tells Excel to return the second column (month number).
FALSE ensures an exact match.
4. Using TEXT Function (For Number to Name Conversion)
If you ever need to convert month numbers back into names, the TEXT function is an easy solution:
=TEXT(DATE(2024, A2, 1), "MMMM")
5. Using Power Query for Large Datasets
For handling large datasets, Power Query is an efficient tool for transforming data.
Steps:
Select your data and go to Data > Get & Transform > From Table/Range.
In Power Query Editor, select the month column.
Click Add Column > Custom Column.
Use the following formula:
Date.Month(Date.FromText([Month Name] & " 1"))
Click Close & Load to return the transformed data to Excel.
Best Practices and Common Issues
Ensure Correct Spelling: Functions like DATEVALUE and VLOOKUP require exact month name matches.
Check Regional Settings: Excel’s recognition of month names may vary based on language and regional settings.
Use Data Validation: Prevent errors by using a dropdown list with predefined month names.
Conclusion
Converting month names to numbers in Excel is an essential skill for data analysts, accountants, and business professionals. Whether you use formulas like MONTH(DATEVALUE()), SWITCH, VLOOKUP, or Power Query, each method has its own advantages depending on your dataset and Excel version. By mastering these techniques, you can improve data accuracy, streamline reporting, and unlock new possibilities in Excel date management.