So, I’ve recreated some Excel YEAR function issues that you may face. Here are the fixes that worked out for me the best!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How To Fix Excel YEAR Function Not Working<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before you start troubleshooting, ensure you’re using a supported Windows, Mac, or web app. The function is only available in Excel 2016 for Windows and Mac<\/strong> and newer<\/strong>, and the web version<\/strong>. If you’re using any earlier desktop editions, unfortunately, it won’t work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common mistake is not spelling the function syntax correctly. This causes the entire formula to break down. The Excel warning you get in this situation is the #NAME?<\/a> error.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n To avoid spelling issues, you must use the function suggestion as shown on the cell when you type initials after the equals sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can scroll down or up to find the one you need and simply double-click<\/strong> to add it<\/strong> along with the opening parenthesis.<\/p>\n\n\n You can now type the rest of the formula arguments. Refer to the contextual suggestions for the valid arguments just below the cell where you’re typing to avoid flaws in argument construction.<\/p>\n\n\n Here are the possible slip-ups you might make while using the YEAR function:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, this function has broken down because there’s a tilde sign in the referenced cell.<\/p>\n\n\n When I remove the accent sign, it works just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n Another pressing problem with YEAR is its inability to appropriately detect the year value from a custom-formatted date. For example, it’ll work with popular date conventions, like YYYY\/MM\/DD<\/strong> or MM\/DD\/YYYY<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, when you place the function with a DD\/MM\/YYYY<\/strong> or YYYY\/DD\/MM<\/strong> format, it fails to isolate the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another way to get the same error is by using the Custom<\/strong> formatting category from the Format Cells<\/strong> dialog box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you select a cell and press the Ctrl<\/kbd> + 1<\/kbd> keys, the Format Cells<\/strong> dialog box will show up. Now, go to Custom<\/strong> and enter any of the following date formats in the Type<\/strong> field:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you now type any date in the custom-formatted cell<\/strong>, you’ll get an error for the YEAR function.<\/p>\n\n\n So, avoid the above custom date formatting instances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you convert a date entry to the Number<\/strong> formatting style, the YEAR function shows an error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look at the screenshot below. When it’s in its correct form, like the Date<\/strong> format, the function can properly extract the year in cell C1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n However, changing the date to a Number<\/strong> format shows the #REF!<\/strong> error message.<\/p>\n\n\n Another scenario when you might experience the same issue is deleting the old entry and typing in a new value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you delete the previous entry in A1<\/strong>, Excel hard codes the YEAR function in the following syntax:<\/p>\n\n\n\n =YEAR(#REF!)<\/p>\n\n\n Now, if you update the referenced cell with a new value, Excel can’t detect that because it has automatically added the #REF!<\/strong> error to the YEAR function by replacing A1<\/strong>, which was the blank cell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can fix this issue by editing the arguments again. For example, replace #REF!<\/strong> in the formula syntax with A1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n The YEAR function will calculate the year value again.<\/p>\n\n\n Hidden characters, like non-breaking spaces<\/strong>, change the appropriate formatting of date entries. When you refer your YEAR function to any such cells, you’ll get a #VALUE!<\/strong> error.<\/p>\n\n\n To clear these unwanted characters from your dataset, press Alt<\/kbd> + F11<\/kbd> to launch Excel VBA Editor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right-click<\/strong> on the current workbook in the left-side navigation panel<\/strong> of the VBA Editor<\/strong>. Hover the cursor over Insert<\/strong> and select Module<\/strong> from the context menu.<\/p>\n\n\n A blank module will open on the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There, copy and paste<\/strong> the following VBA script:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hit the Save<\/strong> button on the toolbar.<\/p>\n\n\n Now, select the worksheet dataset from which you wish to remove hidden characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Click on the Run<\/strong> button on the toolbar or hit F5<\/kbd> on the keyboard.<\/p>\n\n\n Excel VBA macro<\/strong> will clean the dataset automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The YEAR function also instantly calculates the cell and shows the year value.<\/p>\n\n\n The YEAR function is only effective within a year range of 1900<\/strong> and 9999<\/strong>. If you refer to an input cell containing a year below or above the given range, the function will either show an error message or an incorrect value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, I entered 01\/01\/1899<\/strong> in A1<\/strong> and used the =YEAR(A1)<\/strong> syntax in C1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I got the #VALUE!<\/strong> error.<\/p>\n\n\n The same error will show up when the input date is 01\/01\/10000<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n So, check if the input has a year value outside the given range to fix the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the region settings in the PC<\/strong> and Microsoft 365 Admin Center don’t match,<\/strong> Excel might process date formats incorrectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, ensure your PC is set to the desired region configuration by clicking the ENG<\/strong> icon in the System tray<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n English (United States)<\/strong> should be on the top of any other input languages if you’re in the US<\/strong> or following the US input format<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n If you don’t see the US option<\/strong>, click on the Language preferences<\/strong> option.<\/p>\n\n\n Click on the Add a language<\/strong> button below the Preferred languages<\/strong> section.<\/p>\n\n\n Find and select English (United States)<\/strong>. Click Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n Now, navigate to your Microsoft 365 Admin Center<\/a> portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Type Region<\/strong> in the top search field<\/strong> and select My settings and privacy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n You’ll now arrive on the Settings & Privacy<\/strong> page. Navigate to the Language & Region<\/strong> tab on the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, click on the Region format<\/strong> option and select Change regional format<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Select the English (United States)<\/strong> format from the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You’ll see a sample date confirming that you’ve successfully selected English (United States) as the region.<\/p>\n\n\n Now, restart<\/strong> the Excel desktop app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try using the YEAR function and this time it should be able to extract the year from the date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The YEAR function works well with Gregorian calendar<\/strong> dates. Even if you refer to a non-Gregorian calendar date, it’ll try to show the equivalent year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, the following screenshot shows that the argument is referencing cell A1 which has a date from the Hijri calendar. Therefore, the function can’t extract the year value appropriately and shows the #VALUE!<\/strong> error.<\/p>\n\n\n Moreover, if the input date value comes with a minus sign, the YEAR function won’t be able to calculate the year entry because Excel converts the source data into a negative fraction.<\/p>\n\n\n So, ensure there are no negative dates in the input dataset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re trying to extract the number of years from a start and end date, you’ll get an incorrect result with the YEAR function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’ll process it as an input value and derive the corresponding year if possible, but not the actual calculated value.<\/p>\n\n\nChoose the Right Function Syntax<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Error](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Error-for-incorrect-syntax.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Double-click](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Double-click-formula.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"contextual](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/contextual-suggestions.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nValue Isn’t in the Date Format<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"Tilde](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Tilde-in-date.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Removed](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Removed-tilde.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nCustom Date Formats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"error](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Error-2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"error](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Error-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"Format](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Format-Cells.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"YEAR](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/YEAR-Error.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDate Entries Formatted as Numbers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"YEAR](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/YEAR-function-working.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"YEAR](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/YEAR-not-working-with-NUmber-format.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Delete](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Delete-A1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Edit](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Edit-A1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Edit](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Edit-A1-again.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHidden Characters or Spaces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Value](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Value-error-hidden-character.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Insert](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Insert-module.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSub ClearHiddenCharacters()\n Dim cell As Range\n For Each cell In Selection\n cell.Value = Replace(cell.Value, ChrW(8203), \"\")\n cell.Value = Replace(cell.Value, Chr(160), \"\")\n Next cell\nEnd Sub <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n![\"save](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/save-script.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"run](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/run-script.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Year](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Year-fixed-using-VBA.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDates Beyond Excel’s Supported Range<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Value](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Value-error-in-1899.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Value](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Value-error-10000.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nRegional Settings Mismatch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"English](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/English-USA.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"language](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/language-preferences.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Add](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Add-a-language.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Choose](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Choose-ENG-USA.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"My](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/My-settings-and-privacy.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Change](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Change-region-format.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nNegative or Non-Gregorian Dates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Non](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Non-Gregorian-dates.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Negative](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Negative-dates.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nUse YEARFRAC for Fractional Year Values<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Using](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Using-YEARS-for-fraction.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/windowsreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/YEARFRAC-use-case.jpg\"){kind=link}