Date formula page
Add Days to Date Formula
Use simple addition when due dates or follow-up dates are a fixed number of calendar days after a start date.
Best for
Add days to a date in Excel or Google Sheets.
What it returns
If A2 is 2026-01-01, the result is 2026-01-08.
Copy formulas
=A2+7=A2+7Excel and Google Sheets store real dates as serial values, so adding or subtracting an integer moves by calendar days and includes weekends.
Example data
| Start Date | End Date | Holiday | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | 2026-01-31 | 2026-01-19 | 30 |
| 2026-02-10 | 2026-03-12 | 30 | |
| 1990-05-20 | 2026-05-20 | 36 |
What it returns
If A2 is 2026-01-01, the result is 2026-01-08.
How the formula works
- One day equals 1 in spreadsheet date math.
- Adding 7 moves the date forward by seven calendar days.
- Use WORKDAY if weekends and holidays should be skipped.
| Syntax piece | Role in the formula |
|---|---|
| A2 | The real start date serial to move from. |
| +7 | The calendar-day offset; use a negative number to move backward. |
| Result format | The output cell should use a date format so the serial result displays as a date. |
Verified examples
=A2+7Excel: Enter 2026-01-01 in A2. Returns: 2026-01-08
=A2-7Google Sheets: Enter 2026-01-01 in A2. Returns: 2025-12-25
=A2+3Excel: Enter 2026-01-30 in A2. Returns: 2026-02-02
Common errors and fixes
| Issue | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Adding days returns #VALUE! | A2 contains text that looks like a date rather than a real date serial. | Convert A2 to a spreadsheet date before using arithmetic. |
| The result appears as a number such as 46023 | The arithmetic returned a valid date serial but the result cell is formatted as General or Number. | Format the result cell as Date. |
| The result lands on a weekend | Date arithmetic counts calendar days and does not skip Saturday, Sunday, or holidays. | Use WORKDAY when the offset must skip non-working days. |
When not to use this formula
- Do not use direct date addition when weekends or a holiday list must be excluded from the date calculation.
Alternatives
| Alternative | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Next Business Day Formula | Use when the result must skip weekends and listed holidays. |
| Add Months to Date Formula | Use when the offset is measured in calendar months rather than days. |
Related formulas
Official references
- DATE function from Microsoft
FAQ
What does adding 1 to a date mean?
It moves the date forward by one calendar day, regardless of whether that day is a weekend.
How do I skip weekends and holidays?
Use WORKDAY with a positive or negative workday offset and an optional holiday range.