How to Use DATEDIF Formula for Asset Age in Microsoft Lists
Question details
The user needs to calculate and display the exact age of an asset in years, months, and days using the purchase date in Microsoft Lists.
- Product
- Microsoft Lists
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing inventory and tracking the lifecycle of business assets based on their original purchase dates.
- Observed behavior
- The goal is to dynamically output a concatenated text string indicating the asset's age, updating automatically relative to the current date.
Ensure you have an existing date column in your Microsoft List that accurately records the asset's purchase date before creating the calculated formula column.
Create a Calculated Column with DATEDIF Formula
Use a combined DATEDIF and TODAY() formula in a calculated column to output the asset age as a readable text string.
The DATEDIF function allows you to calculate the difference between two dates. By combining it with the TODAY() function and specifying different return parameters ("Y" for years, "YM" for remaining months, and "MD" for remaining days), you can generate a precise age format.
Navigate to your target list in Microsoft Lists or SharePoint where your asset data is stored.
Click on 'Add column' at the top of your list view, select 'More...', and choose 'Calculated (calculation based on other columns)' as the column type.
Name your column (e.g., 'Asset Age') and paste the following formula into the formula box: =DATEDIF([Purchase date],TODAY(),"Y")&" years, "&DATEDIF([Purchase date],TODAY(),"YM")&" months and "&DATEDIF([Purchase date],TODAY(),"MD")&" days". Note: Replace '[Purchase date]' with the exact name of your existing date column.
Scroll down to the 'The data type returned from this formula is' section and select 'Single line of text'. Click 'OK' to save.
Manage Your Asset Data with WPS Spreadsheet
While Microsoft Lists requires a Microsoft 365 subscription, WPS Office offers a completely free, lightweight, and powerful alternative for managing inventory. You can use identical DATEDIF formulas to calculate asset ages in WPS Spreadsheet.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free and launch WPS Spreadsheet.
- 2. Set up your Asset Tracker: Create a new worksheet or choose an inventory template. Add your asset names and purchase dates.
- 3. Apply the DATEDIF Formula: Use the exact same DATEDIF formula in a new column to automatically track asset ages without needing a cloud subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my DATEDIF formula returning a syntax error in Microsoft Lists?
Syntax errors generally happen if the column name referenced in your formula does not perfectly match the actual date column name in your list. Ensure brackets enclose the column name, like [Purchase Date], and that you are using standard straight quotes ("") instead of smart quotes in the formula string.
Can I calculate the age between the purchase date and a specific end date instead of TODAY()?
Yes. You can replace the TODAY() function in the formula with the bracketed name of another date column, such as [End Date] or [Retirement Date], to calculate the exact duration between those two fixed milestones.
What do the "YM" and "MD" parameters mean in the DATEDIF formula?
The "YM" parameter calculates the remaining months after subtracting the complete years, while "MD" calculates the remaining days after subtracting the complete years and months. This is crucial for returning an accurate leftover duration rather than the total overall months or days.
