MONTH Function

The Excel MONTH function returns an integer number between 1 and 12, representing the month of the supplied Date. For example, number 3 denotes the month of March, and number 11 specifies the month of November. You may also merge the MONTH function with other functions like the COUNTIF function, IF statement, etc. This function is listed under the Date & Time functions in Excel.

Compatibility

This advanced Excel function is compatible with the following versions of MS Excel −

Excel for Microsoft 365
Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac
Excel for the web
Excel 2024
Excel 2024 for Mac
Excel 2021
Excel 2021 for Mac
Excel 2019
Excel 2016
Excel 2013
Excel 2010
Excel 2007

Syntax

The syntax of the MONTH function is as follows −

=MONTH(serial_number)

Arguments

You can use the following arguments with the MONTH function −

Argument	Description	Required/ Optional
Serial_number	It indicates either Dates in the specific format or the date serial number from where the Month is to be retrieved. The date of the month you are trying to find. You may enter the DATE directly through the DATE function or as a result of other evaluated formulas.	Required

Argument

Description

Required/ Optional

Serial_number

It indicates either Dates in the specific format or the date serial number from where the Month is to be retrieved.

The date of the month you are trying to find.

You may enter the DATE directly through the DATE function or as a result of other evaluated formulas.

Required

Points to Remember

The Microsoft Excel tool saves dates as sequential serial numbers for further calculations. By default, serial number 1 is assigned to January 1, 1900, and serial number 39448 is assigned to January 1, 2008.
The MONTH function returns Gregorian values despite the display format for the provided date.
If the dates are written in the form of the text, then the MONTH function will return the #VALUE! Error.

Examples of MONTH Function in Excel

Practice the following examples to learn the use of the MONTH function in Excel.

Example 1: How to add the Months in Excel Automatically?

Solution

Step 1 − First, assume the sample dataset where serial date numbers are specified in the B3:B5 cell.

How to add Months in Excel Automatically1

Step 2 − After that, select the cell range C3:C5 and enter the formula =MONTH(B3) in the formula bar.

How to add Months in Excel Automatically2

Then, hit the "Ctrl+Enter" tab to get the resulting value.

How to add Months in Excel Automatically3

Here, 1 represents January, 10 indicates October, and 7 indicates July.

Example 2: Finding the Number of Dates from the Specific Month

Let's say you have a list of dates on which employees take holiday leave. The admin wishes to determine the number of months employees took more leaves, which is done using the COUNTIF function with the MONTH function.

Solution

Step 1 − First, consider the sample dataset where the Dates are specified in the cell range B2:B13. Here, we apply the MONTH function in the C column and then use the COUNTIF function in the D column.

Finding Number of Dates from Specific Month1

After that, press the "Ctrl+Enter" to evaluate the MONTH function.

Finding Number of Dates from Specific Month2

Therefore, the MONTH function retrieves only the month from the input dates.

Step 2 − Moreover, if you wish to count the number of dates in December, you can write the formula =COUNTIF(C2:C13,12) in the D2 cell.

Finding Number of Dates from Specific Month3

After that, hit the Enter tab.

Finding Number of Dates from Specific Month4

Hence, the number of dates in December is 7. Similarly, you can count the number of dates for the other month.

Download Practice Sheet

You can download and use the sample data sheet to practice the MONTH function.

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