Automatically Calculate Age from Date of Birth in Excel

Need to calculate an employee's age from date of birth in Excel? Handling of employee data, student records, or survey details: Microsoft Excel can calculate age instantly through its built-in functions, eliminating manual calculation or a calculator.

This guide tells you exactly how to calculate age automatically from the date of birth using Excel formulas that work in all major versions.


📆 Method 1: Using the DATEDIF Function (Most Accurate)

With the DATEDIF function, you can find the age from the date of birth.

Formula:

=DATEDIF(A2, TODAY(), "Y")

  • A2: Cell with date of birth
  • TODAY(): Current date, dynamic
  • "Y": Number of completed years (age)

Example:

Name
DOB
Age
John
04/10/1990
=DATEDIF(B2, TODAY(), "Y")

This, then, provides an age in years and is updated daily.


📊 Method 2: The Age in Years, Months, and Days

More detailed?

=DATEDIF(A2, TODAY(), "Y") & " Years, " & DATEDIF(A2, TODAY(), "YM") & " Months"

This returns something like: "33 Years, 2 Months."


🔢 Method 3: Using YEAR and TODAY Functions

Another way (simpler) would be:

=YEAR(TODAY()) - YEAR(A2)

⚠️ This will overestimate the age if the given birthday hasn't occurred yet for that year. Thus, it is less accurate than DATEDIF.


✅ Best Practices and Tips

  • For greater precision, use DATEDIF.
  • It is wise to format your DOB cells as Date, thereby eliminating formula errors.
  • A good idea is to use data validation to filter out erroneous DOB input.
  • Pair with conditional formatting so that certain age ranges can be highlighted (e.g., more than 60).

🔄 Automatically Adapt to Changes

One thing about TODAY() is that it updates the age calculation every time one opens the Excel file. Great for HR, school, or client databases.


📘 Real Use

  • Tracks HR records and the onboarding of workers.
  • Maintains information systems for schools and colleges.
  • Age-based filters for surveys or reports.
  • Healthcare or insurance databases.

In one simple formula, Excel becomes a dynamic age calculator to eliminate manual errors and enhance productivity. Start calculating age in Microsoft Excel today and give your spreadsheet some mind!


🎓 Learn More with Other Levels

Take your Excel skills to the next level:


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