The NETWORKDAYS function in Google Sheets is essential for anyone who needs to calculate the number of working days between two specified dates. It plays a vital role in project management, scheduling, and any task requiring an understanding of time frames within a business context. This function automatically excludes weekends and can also account for holidays if specified, making it a powerful tool for accurate date calculations.

Syntax

NETWORKDAYS(start_date, end_date, [holidays])

• start_date: The beginning date from which to start counting working days.
• end_date: The ending date to which the working days are counted.
• [holidays]: (Optional) A range of one or more dates to exclude from the working day count, such as public holidays.

Example #1

=NETWORKDAYS("2023-10-01", "2023-10-10")

This function calculates the number of working days between October 1, 2023, and October 10, 2023, resulting in 6 days when weekends are excluded.

Example #2

=NETWORKDAYS("2023-10-01", "2023-10-10", {"2023-10-04"})

In this case, the function calculates the total working days while excluding October 4, 2023, leading to a total of 5 days.

Example #3

=NETWORKDAYS("2023-10-01", "2023-10-10", A1:A3)

Here, A1:A3 is the range of cells containing holiday dates. The function will count the working days between October 1 and 10, excluding dates listed in the range (such as public holidays), yielding a total of 4 workdays.

Error handling

• VALUE!: This error occurs when the provided dates are not valid date values. Ensure the dates are correctly formatted.
• NUM!: This error arises if the end date is earlier than the start date. Check that the start date precedes the end date.
• REF!: This error can occur if a reference to a cell for holidays is invalid. Verify that the range provided contains valid date entries.

Conclusion

In summary, the NETWORKDAYS function is an invaluable tool for professionals looking to manage time effectively by calculating working days between two dates. By incorporating considerations for holidays, users can achieve precise scheduling, ensuring that plans align with actual working days. Its straightforward syntax makes it user-friendly, while its powerful capabilities enhance productivity and project management accuracy.