where dates is the named range B5:B16 This formula is a basic example of using the COUNTIFS function with just one condition. The named range dates is supplied as the first argument, and the date in column E is supplied as the second argument for the condition: With the date 13-Jun-2020 in cell E5, the COUNTIFS function returns 1, so the formula then simplifies to: which returns TRUE. By checking if the result from COUNTIFS is greater than zero, we also handle cases where the count is greater than 1 (i.e. the date we are looking for appears more than once), as in cell E7. Any positive result will cause the formula to return TRUE. When COUNTIFS returns a count of zero, the formula will return FALSE.

With a hardcoded date

The best way to hardcode a date into this formula is to use the DATE function like this: The DATE function ensures that the correct date is passed into COUNTIFS, without requiring Excel to interpret a date in text format.

Check for today’s date

To check for today’s date, use the TODAY function like this: Note: the TODAY function will continually update as time passes.

With IF

You can nest this formula inside the IF function as the logical test. For example, to return a final result of “Yes” or “No”, you can use IF like this:

Dave Bruns

Hi - I’m Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.