# Excel WEEKDAY Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips - URL: https://betteranalyst.com/excel/weekday-function - Author: Better Analyst Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account, more powerful analysis.Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account and workflows, with more powerful analysis, dashboards, and automation. [Learn what changed](https://betteranalyst.com/formula-bot-is-now-better-analyst) The WEEKDAY function in Excel returns the day of the week for a given date, allowing for different numbering systems based on user preference. ```excel =WEEKDAY(serial_number, [return_type]) ``` Generate FormulaExplain Formula One free generation or explanation per browser, shared across Excel and Google Sheets. Account usage limits apply afterward. Describe the WEEKDAY you need in plain EnglishGenerate Formula Need more than a single WEEKDAY formula? Try our free [AI for Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) — it reads your entire spreadsheet, answers questions in plain English, and builds charts and analysis in the same chat. ## Parameters **`serial_number`**:\ A date value that you want to find the corresponding day of the week for. This can be a date entered directly, a cell reference containing a date, or a formula that returns a date. **`return_type`**:\ An optional parameter that specifies the type of return value for the day of the week. It determines how the days are numbered, with different values representing different numbering systems. If omitted, the default value is 1, which means Sunday = 1, Monday = 2, and so on. ## What is a WEEKDAY Formula in Excel? The *WEEKDAY* function in Excel is a useful tool that allows you to determine the day of the week for a given date. It returns a number representing the day of the week, making it easier to analyze and categorize dates based on their corresponding weekdays. In simpler terms, the WEEKDAY function helps you identify whether a date falls on a weekend, weekday, or any specific day, which can be particularly useful for scheduling and planning. ## A Practical Example Imagine you are managing a project timeline, and you have the following data in an Excel spreadsheet: ### Project Timeline Table: | Task | Start Date | | - | - | | Task 1 | 2023-10-01 | | Task 2 | 2023-10-02 | | Task 3 | 2023-10-03 | | Task 4 | 2023-10-04 | | Task 5 | 2023-10-05 | You want to find out which tasks start on a weekend. ## WEEKDAY Formula To determine the day of the week for each task's start date, you would use the WEEKDAY formula as follows: ```excel =WEEKDAY(B2) ``` ### Breakdown of the Formula: - **B2**: This is the cell containing the date you want to evaluate. ## Result of the Formula When you apply the formula to each start date, it will return a number from 1 to 7, where 1 represents Sunday and 7 represents Saturday. For example: | Task | Start Date | WEEKDAY Result | | - | - | - | | Task 1 | 2023-10-01 | 1 | | Task 2 | 2023-10-02 | 2 | | Task 3 | 2023-10-03 | 3 | | Task 4 | 2023-10-04 | 4 | | Task 5 | 2023-10-05 | 5 | Here, Task 1 starts on a Sunday (1), while the other tasks start on weekdays. ## Why Use WEEKDAY? The WEEKDAY function is particularly useful when you need to analyze data based on the day of the week. It allows you to quickly identify weekends, weekdays, or specific days, which can aid in scheduling, resource allocation, and project management. ## Key Takeaways: - **WEEKDAY**: Returns a number representing the day of the week for a given date. - **Efficient Date Analysis**: Helps you quickly categorize dates based on their corresponding weekdays. - **Common Use Cases**: Ideal for project management, scheduling, and any scenario where day-based analysis is required. Understanding how to use the WEEKDAY function can significantly enhance your date analysis capabilities in Excel, enabling you to make informed decisions based on the timing of events. Happy analyzing! ## Example use case You have a table where Column A contains dates of transactions and Column B contains the corresponding transaction amounts. You can use the WEEKDAY function to determine the day of the week for each transaction date. This allows you to analyze sales patterns based on specific days, helping to identify peak sales days and optimize staffing and inventory management accordingly, without the need for more complex date analysis tools. **Beyond the WEEKDAY function:** Better Analyst is a full [Excel AI](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) that goes well past individual formulas. Upload any spreadsheet and ask questions in plain English — you'll get formulas, data analysis, and charts back in seconds. It's a free [AI Excel assistant](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) that works with any .xlsx, .xls, or .csv file — no plugins, no Microsoft 365 required. Don't have a spreadsheet yet? Use our free [AI spreadsheet generator](https://betteranalyst.com/ai-excel-spreadsheet-generator) to turn a text prompt into a downloadable Excel file — a full [AI Excel sheet maker](https://betteranalyst.com/ai-excel-spreadsheet-generator) that builds headers, columns, and formulas from your description. ## Need more help with Excel formulas? Create a free account for formula help, explanations, and spreadsheet analysis. Usage limits depend on your plan. [Create Free Account](https://betteranalyst.com/signup)[Try Formula Generator](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) ## Excel how-to guides - [How To Lock A Row In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-lock-a-row-in-excel) - [How To Lock Cells In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-lock-cells-in-excel) - [How To Make A Copy Of An Excel Sheet](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-make-a-copy-of-an-excel-sheet) - [How To Make A Graph In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-make-a-graph-in-excel) - [How To Make A Histogram In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-make-a-histogram-in-excel) - [How To Make A Line Graph In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-make-a-line-graph-in-excel) - [How To Make A Pie Chart In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-make-a-pie-chart-in-excel) - [How To Make A Table In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-make-a-table-in-excel) ## Explore all Excel formulas Browse our complete library of Excel formula guides Compare your options ## Decide with evidence, not a sales pitch. Open a neutral research prompt in the AI tool you already use. Compare capabilities, limitations, and fit before you choose. 1. [01ChatGPTOpen a balanced comparison prompt in ChatGPT.](https://chatgpt.com/?prompt=Compare%20Better%20Analyst%20with%20using%20a%20general-purpose%20AI%20assistant%20for%20data%20analysis.%20Evaluate%20spreadsheet%20and%20document%20analysis%2C%20dashboards%2C%20repeatable%20reports%2C%20code%20transparency%2C%20data%20connections%2C%20pricing%2C%20and%20limitations.%20Use%20current%20public%20sources%2C%20distinguish%20verified%20facts%20from%20assumptions%2C%20and%20explain%20which%20types%20of%20users%20each%20option%20fits%20best.) 2. [02ClaudeOpen the same research prompt in Claude.](https://claude.ai/new?q=Compare%20Better%20Analyst%20with%20using%20a%20general-purpose%20AI%20assistant%20for%20data%20analysis.%20Evaluate%20spreadsheet%20and%20document%20analysis%2C%20dashboards%2C%20repeatable%20reports%2C%20code%20transparency%2C%20data%20connections%2C%20pricing%2C%20and%20limitations.%20Use%20current%20public%20sources%2C%20distinguish%20verified%20facts%20from%20assumptions%2C%20and%20explain%20which%20types%20of%20users%20each%20option%20fits%20best.) 3. [03PerplexityResearch the comparison with linked web sources.](https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=Compare%20Better%20Analyst%20with%20using%20a%20general-purpose%20AI%20assistant%20for%20data%20analysis.%20Evaluate%20spreadsheet%20and%20document%20analysis%2C%20dashboards%2C%20repeatable%20reports%2C%20code%20transparency%2C%20data%20connections%2C%20pricing%2C%20and%20limitations.%20Use%20current%20public%20sources%2C%20distinguish%20verified%20facts%20from%20assumptions%2C%20and%20explain%20which%20types%20of%20users%20each%20option%20fits%20best.) AI answers can be incomplete. Check source links, current pricing, and product documentation before deciding.