Forum Discussion
DateValue function
Years ago, I set up a spreadsheet to monitor and graph my blood pressure, using the DATEVALUE function to convert text dates to numerical dates. When trying to update the table today, I discovered that =DATEVALUE(B3) where B3 is "DD/MM/YYYY" produces a "VALUE" error. My file hasn't changed, but the DATEVALUE formulas no longer work. Does anyone know what has happened here?
Adding to Joe's comment regarding "system configuration," you might see if the systems short date format setting has changed (in windows control panel). If the system's short date format is mm/dd/yyyy and you have a date like 24/09/2022, then you would get a value error because what it thinks is the month is >12.
The quickest and best way to get a constructive answer is to attach an example Excel file. Click "browse" at the bottom of the reply window, or upload the file to a file-sharing website and post the download URL.
At a minimum, you should show us what is in B3 and what does ISTEXT(B3) return. Typically, a #VALUE error means one of two things: B3 contains a number, not text; or Excel cannot recognize the form of the text as a date, based on the current system configuration.
Note the latter: "current system confirguration". That might have changed, unbeknownst to you, especially if you use Office 365 (based on other users' experience).
JoeUser2004 Here are the cells' contents. The formulae worked for years, but today they no longer do.
B3 'Jul. 16
C3 '18H14 (I use a 24 Hr. clock)
E3 =DATEVALUE(CONCATENATE(RIGHT(B3,2),"/","1","/",ThisYear))+TIMEVALUE(CONCATENATE(LEFT(C3,2),":",RIGHT(C3,2),":","00"))The objective is to get an Excel date function for the exact time of day on a particular day.
Joe User suggests there may be a change in the date function causing this. I'll be looking at that.
Thanks again.
- I just opened the file again, and now the formulae magically work again. I seem to have wasted everybody's time. Problem solved, but I don't know how. Incidentally, "ThisYear" is a range name currently having the value 2022. Thanks, everyone for trying to help me thru this mystery!
JoeUser2004 The problem is that these formulas worked for years, but when I opened the file again after a year, the formulae now don't work. I didn't change anything at all in the workbook. It seems to me, therefore, that something has changed in Excel. When I get to my computer I'll send you the info you asked for. Thanks much for trying to help.
Kindest regards,
C. Aeschliman
