Fix WPS Spreadsheet SUMIFS Returning Zero for Date Criteria
Question details
The user needs to fix a SUMIFS formula that returns 0 when summing values on another worksheet by a date range.
- Product
- WPS Spreadsheet
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is totaling values in column U when dates in column Q fall within a specified month, including data stored on separate worksheets.
- Observed behavior
- SUMIFS returns 0 even when the worksheet appears to contain records that match the intended date range.
Check that the sum range and every criteria range begin and end on the same row. Confirm that the cells in the date column are stored as dates rather than text strings.
Use DATE function criteria in the SUMIFS formula
Use this method when typed date criteria may be interpreted differently because of regional date formats or text-date entries.
DATE(year,month,day) creates an unambiguous spreadsheet date serial number, so SUMIFS can compare dates reliably on every worksheet.
On the worksheet containing the summary formula, select the cell where the SUMIFS result should appear and enter the formula.
Use DATE functions in both criteria, for example: =SUMIFS(U1:U4000,Q1:Q4000,">="&DATE(2024,1,1),Q1:Q4000,"<="&DATE(2024,1,31)).
If the data is on a different sheet, add the worksheet name to every range, for example: =SUMIFS(January!U1:U4000,January!Q1:Q4000,">="&DATE(2024,1,1),January!Q1:Q4000,"<="&DATE(2024,1,31)).
Press Enter to calculate the formula. If the result is still 0, test whether a date cell is real by selecting it and checking whether the formula bar shows a recognizable date value.
Use EOMONTH to calculate the last day of the month
Use this method when the report month may change and you want the formula to calculate the month-end date automatically.
Convert text dates and verify matching ranges
Use this method when DATE criteria are correct but SUMIFS still returns 0 because the source date column contains text or ranges are misaligned.
Calculate Monthly SUMIFS Totals Reliably in WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Spreadsheet lets you build SUMIFS formulas with DATE and EOMONTH criteria, check source values, and update monthly reports using familiar spreadsheet functions.
- 1. Open the workbook in WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open the .xlsx or .xls workbook that contains the SUMIFS calculation.
- 2. Select the formula result cell: Go to the worksheet with the summary and click the cell where the total should be calculated.
- 3. Enter DATE-based SUMIFS criteria: Type a SUMIFS formula using DATE(2024,1,1) for the start date and DATE(2024,1,31) or EOMONTH for the end date.
- 4. Check the source date column: Select dates in the source sheet and use Home > Number Format to confirm they are recognized as dates rather than text.
- 5. Recalculate and save the workbook: Press Enter to calculate the formula, review the total, and save the updated workbook from Menu > Save.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SUMIFS return 0 when the dates look correct?
The visible dates may be text rather than real spreadsheet dates. Select a date cell and set Home > Number Format to General; real dates display as serial numbers, while text dates do not convert in the same way.
How do I write a SUMIFS formula for a full month?
Use DATE for the first day and EOMONTH for the last day. For example: =SUMIFS(U1:U4000,Q1:Q4000,">="&DATE(2024,1,1),Q1:Q4000,"<="&EOMONTH(DATE(2024,1,1),0)).
Can SUMIFS calculate values from another worksheet in WPS Spreadsheet?
Yes. Add the worksheet name before every range, such as =SUMIFS(January!U1:U4000,January!Q1:Q4000,">="&DATE(2024,1,1),January!Q1:Q4000,"<="&DATE(2024,1,31)).
Do SUMIFS ranges need to be the same size?
Yes. The sum range and each criteria range must cover the same number of rows and corresponding positions, for example U1:U4000 and Q1:Q4000.
Should I use typed dates such as 1/1/2024 in SUMIFS criteria?
DATE(2024,1,1) is safer than a typed date string because typed formats can be interpreted differently based on regional settings.
