Excel: compare date - how it works

In Excel you can compare the date of different tables or within one table. In this practical tip, we will show you step by step how to proceed.

Compare date in Excel - how it works

1. First, copy the two rows with the dates in two columns next to each other.
2. Then check whether Excel has recognized it as a date: Is the entry "Date" displayed in the dropdown menu via "Number" in the Start menu? If not, select all dates and then select "Date".
3. If you want to check the dates in the fixed order, follow the next step. If both columns are to be sorted in ascending order beforehand, select the column, select "Sort and filter" ("all right" and "sort by date" (ascending)).
4. To compare the two columns, you must enter an if formula in a third column: = IF (A1 = B1; "OK"; "False")
5. A1 is the first date of the first column and B1 is the first date of the second column. Then drag the bottom right corner of the result field down to apply the formula to the following dates.

Next we will show you how to display today's date in an Excel document.