The NETWORKDAYS function in Excel is a powerful tool designed to calculate the number of working days between two given dates, excluding weekends and any specified holidays. This function is particularly useful for project management and resource planning, enabling users to assess the time required to complete tasks that require a business-day focus.

Syntax

NETWORKDAYS(start_date, end_date, [holidays])

• start_date: The date from which to start counting the working days.
• end_date: The date up to which to count the working days.
• [holidays]: (Optional) An array or range of dates to be excluded from the calculation, such as public holidays.

Example #1

=NETWORKDAYS("2023-10-01", "2023-10-15")

This example counts the number of working days from October 1, 2023, to October 15, 2023, excluding weekends. The result is 10.

Example #2

=NETWORKDAYS("2023-10-01", "2023-10-15", {"2023-10-09"})

This usage includes a holiday on October 9, 2023, and counts the working days accordingly, yielding a result of 9.

Example #3

=NETWORKDAYS(TODAY(), "2023-12-25")

This call calculates the working days from today until December 25, 2023, not considering weekends. The result varies based on the current date.

Error handling

• VALUE!: This error occurs if one of the dates provided is not a valid date.
• NUM!: Triggered when the start_date is after the end_date, indicating an incorrect logical order.
• NAME?: Appears if the function name is misspelled or not recognized by Excel.

Conclusion

The NETWORKDAYS function is an essential tool for efficiently managing time-sensitive projects by providing a clear understanding of available working days. By incorporating holidays into the calculation, it enhances accuracy, making it invaluable for business operations and resource allocation planning.