Intro
Learn how to calculate remaining days in Excel from today using formulas and functions, including datedif, today(), and networkdays, to track deadlines and timelines efficiently.
Calculating the remaining days in Excel from today can be a useful skill for tracking deadlines, managing projects, and organizing tasks. Excel provides various functions and formulas to achieve this, making it a versatile tool for data analysis and manipulation. In this article, we will delve into the world of Excel and explore the different methods for calculating remaining days from today.
The importance of calculating remaining days in Excel cannot be overstated. It helps individuals and businesses stay on top of their schedules, prioritize tasks, and make informed decisions. With the numerous functions and formulas available in Excel, users can easily calculate remaining days and create custom solutions tailored to their needs. Whether you are a student, a professional, or an entrepreneur, mastering the art of calculating remaining days in Excel can significantly enhance your productivity and efficiency.
Calculating remaining days in Excel is a straightforward process that requires a basic understanding of the software and its functions. Excel provides various formulas and functions, such as the TODAY function, the DATEDIF function, and the NETWORKDAYS function, which can be used to calculate remaining days. These functions can be combined and customized to suit specific needs, making Excel a powerful tool for data analysis and manipulation. In the following sections, we will explore these functions in detail and provide examples of how to use them to calculate remaining days from today.
Using the TODAY Function to Calculate Remaining Days

The TODAY function is a useful function in Excel that returns the current date. It can be used to calculate remaining days by subtracting the current date from a future date. The formula for this calculation is =TODAY()-A1, where A1 is the cell containing the future date. This formula returns the number of days between the current date and the future date.
To use the TODAY function to calculate remaining days, follow these steps:
- Enter the future date in a cell, for example, A1.
- Enter the formula =TODAY()-A1 in a new cell.
- Press Enter to calculate the formula.
The result will be the number of days between the current date and the future date.
Using the DATEDIF Function to Calculate Remaining Days

The DATEDIF function is another useful function in Excel that calculates the difference between two dates. It can be used to calculate remaining days by specifying the unit of time as "d" for days. The formula for this calculation is =DATEDIF(TODAY(),A1,"d"), where A1 is the cell containing the future date.
To use the DATEDIF function to calculate remaining days, follow these steps:
- Enter the future date in a cell, for example, A1.
- Enter the formula =DATEDIF(TODAY(),A1,"d") in a new cell.
- Press Enter to calculate the formula.
The result will be the number of days between the current date and the future date.
Using the NETWORKDAYS Function to Calculate Remaining Days

The NETWORKDAYS function is a useful function in Excel that calculates the number of working days between two dates. It can be used to calculate remaining days by excluding weekends and holidays. The formula for this calculation is =NETWORKDAYS(TODAY(),A1), where A1 is the cell containing the future date.
To use the NETWORKDAYS function to calculate remaining days, follow these steps:
- Enter the future date in a cell, for example, A1.
- Enter the formula =NETWORKDAYS(TODAY(),A1) in a new cell.
- Press Enter to calculate the formula.
The result will be the number of working days between the current date and the future date.
Calculating Remaining Days with Holidays

Calculating remaining days with holidays requires a more complex formula that takes into account the holidays. The formula for this calculation is =NETWORKDAYS(TODAY(),A1,B1:B10), where A1 is the cell containing the future date and B1:B10 is the range of cells containing the holidays.
To calculate remaining days with holidays, follow these steps:
- Enter the future date in a cell, for example, A1.
- Enter the holidays in a range of cells, for example, B1:B10.
- Enter the formula =NETWORKDAYS(TODAY(),A1,B1:B10) in a new cell.
- Press Enter to calculate the formula.
The result will be the number of working days between the current date and the future date, excluding weekends and holidays.
Calculating Remaining Days with Conditional Formatting

Calculating remaining days with conditional formatting requires a formula that applies formatting to cells based on the number of days remaining. The formula for this calculation is =IF(TODAY()-A1>30,"More than 30 days",IF(TODAY()-A1>15,"More than 15 days",IF(TODAY()-A1>7,"More than 7 days","Less than 7 days"))), where A1 is the cell containing the future date.
To calculate remaining days with conditional formatting, follow these steps:
- Enter the future date in a cell, for example, A1.
- Enter the formula =IF(TODAY()-A1>30,"More than 30 days",IF(TODAY()-A1>15,"More than 15 days",IF(TODAY()-A1>7,"More than 7 days","Less than 7 days"))) in a new cell.
- Press Enter to calculate the formula.
- Apply conditional formatting to the cell by selecting the cell and going to the Home tab > Conditional Formatting.
The result will be a cell with formatting that changes based on the number of days remaining.
Gallery of Excel Formulas for Calculating Remaining Days
Excel Formulas for Calculating Remaining Days Image Gallery










What is the TODAY function in Excel?
+The TODAY function in Excel returns the current date.
How do I calculate remaining days in Excel?
+You can calculate remaining days in Excel by using the TODAY function, the DATEDIF function, or the NETWORKDAYS function.
What is the difference between the DATEDIF and NETWORKDAYS functions?
+The DATEDIF function calculates the difference between two dates in a specified unit of time, while the NETWORKDAYS function calculates the number of working days between two dates, excluding weekends and holidays.
How do I apply conditional formatting to cells based on the number of days remaining?
+You can apply conditional formatting to cells based on the number of days remaining by using a formula that applies formatting to cells based on the number of days remaining.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when calculating remaining days in Excel?
+Some common mistakes to avoid when calculating remaining days in Excel include using the wrong function, forgetting to account for holidays, and not updating the formula to reflect changes in the data.
In conclusion, calculating remaining days in Excel is a useful skill that can help individuals and businesses stay on top of their schedules and make informed decisions. By using the TODAY function, the DATEDIF function, or the NETWORKDAYS function, users can easily calculate remaining days and create custom solutions tailored to their needs. Whether you are a student, a professional, or an entrepreneur, mastering the art of calculating remaining days in Excel can significantly enhance your productivity and efficiency. We hope this article has provided you with the knowledge and skills necessary to calculate remaining days in Excel with confidence. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to comment below.