Final answer:
To add business days to a date in Excel, use the WORKDAY function, which accounts for weekends and can exclude holidays. Place the start date in cell A1, the number of business days in B1, and optionally, a list of holidays in cells C1:C10. The formula =WORKDAY(A1, B1, C1:C10) will give you the resulting date after business days are added.
Step-by-step explanation:
To add business days to a date in Excel, you can use the WORKDAY function. This Excel function allows you to calculate a date in the future or past based on a specified number of business days, automatically excluding weekends and optionally a list of holidays that you provide. Here is a step-by-step explanation:
First, ensure you have a start date. For the purpose of this explanation, let's say that the start date is in cell A1.
Next, define the number of business days you want to add. This number can be positive to move forward in time, or negative to move back. Assume this is in cell B1.
If you also have a list of holidays that should be excluded, place those dates in a column (e.g., C1:C10).
In a new cell, type the following formula: =WORKDAY(A1, B1, C1:C10). A1 is the start date, B1 is the number of business days to add, and C1:C10 is the optional range where you've listed holidays.
Press Enter, and Excel will display the calculated date considering only business days.
If you simply want to add business days excluding weekends and no holidays, the formula would just be =WORKDAY(A1, B1).