Formula guide · Excel and Google Sheets · Updated May 13, 2026
Pivot Table Group Dates by Month
Group dates by month, quarter, or year in an Excel or Google Sheets pivot table.
Quick Answer
Put the date field in Rows, then use date grouping to summarize daily rows by month.
Copyable Formula
No formula required. Use date grouping in the pivot table.Syntax
Add Date to Rows, then group by Month or Year.Excel and Google Sheets
Worked Example
| Field | Pivot area |
|---|---|
| Date | Rows grouped by month |
| Amount | Values |
| Region | Filters or Columns |
Result: Creates monthly totals from daily transaction data.
Steps
- Make sure the source date column contains real dates.
- Add the date field to the Rows area.
- Group the date field by month, quarter, or year.
- Add the measure, such as Amount, to Values.
Common Mistakes
- Trying to group dates that are stored as text.
- Leaving blank or invalid dates in the source column.
- Forgetting to refresh after adding new rows.
Excel vs Google Sheets Notes
The core idea works in both Excel and Google Sheets, but separators, function availability, and array behavior can vary by account, locale, and version.
Editorial check: This guide was last updated May 13, 2026. Formula behavior can vary by Excel version, Google Sheets rollout, and spreadsheet locale.