Google Sheets NETWORKDAYS Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips

start_date:
The date that marks the beginning of the period for which you want to calculate the number of working days. This can be a date value, a cell reference containing a date, or a formula that returns a date.

end_date:
The date that marks the end of the period for which you want to calculate the number of working days. Similar to start_date, this can be a date value, a cell reference containing a date, or a formula that returns a date.

holidays:
An optional range of one or more dates that should be considered as non-working days (holidays) in addition to the standard weekends. This can be a range of cells containing holiday dates or an array of dates.

What is the NETWORKDAYS Function?

The NETWORKDAYS function in Google Sheets is a useful tool that calculates the number of working days between two dates, excluding weekends and optionally specified holidays. This function is particularly helpful for project management, payroll calculations, and any scenario where you need to determine the number of business days between two dates.

In simpler terms, NETWORKDAYS allows you to find out how many weekdays fall between two dates, helping you manage timelines and deadlines effectively.

A Practical Example

Imagine you are managing a project and need to calculate the number of working days between the project start date and end date:

Project Timeline:

You want to find out how many working days each task takes, excluding weekends.

NETWORKDAYS Formula

To achieve this, you would use the NETWORKDAYS function as follows:

=NETWORKDAYS(B2, C2)

In this formula:

• B2 is the cell containing the Start Date of the task.
• C2 is the cell containing the End Date of the task.

If you want to exclude holidays, you can add a range of holiday dates as the third argument:

=NETWORKDAYS(B2, C2, Holidays!A:A)

In this case, Holidays!A:A would be the range where you have listed any holidays that should be excluded from the working days calculation.

Result of the Formula

When you apply the NETWORKDAYS formula to the Project Timeline, the output would look like this:

In this case, Task A has 6 working days, while Task B has 7 working days, as weekends are excluded from the count.

Why Use NETWORKDAYS?

NETWORKDAYS is beneficial because it simplifies the process of calculating working days, allowing you to focus on your project timelines without manually counting weekdays. It also provides the flexibility to account for holidays, making it a versatile tool for various business scenarios.

Key Takeaways:

• NETWORKDAYS: A function that calculates the number of working days between two dates, excluding weekends and optional holidays.
• Easy to Use: Simplifies the process of counting weekdays, saving time and reducing errors.
• Holiday Exclusion: Allows for the inclusion of holidays in the calculation, enhancing accuracy.
• Common Use Cases: Ideal for project management, payroll calculations, and any scenario where tracking business days is necessary.

NETWORKDAYS is an essential function for anyone managing timelines and deadlines in Google Sheets, providing a straightforward way to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Happy spreadsheeting!