WD2000: Macro to Determine the Number of Days Between Two Dates (211445)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000

This article was previously published under Q211445

SUMMARY

To determine the number of days between two dates, you can use a Visual Basic for Applications macro to convert dates to serial numbers and then subtract one number from the other.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site: The following Visual Basic for Applications sample macro prompts for a date in the mm/dd/yy format, and returns the number of days between the current date and the specified date.

The DateValue() function converts a specified date, beginning with December 30, 1899, to a serial number.

Syntax: DateValue(DateText$)

Examples

   x = DateValue("12/30/1899")  ' returns 0 or zero
   x = DateValue("12/31/1899")  ' returns 1
   x = DateValue("12/5/1992")   ' returns 33943
				
The Sgn() function is used to determine if the difference between two dates is negative or positive number. A negative value indicates a date in the past, while a positive value indicates a date in the future.
Sub DayDiff()
   Dim sDate As String
   Dim intNumDays As Integer
   On Error GoTo errhandler
   ' Prompt for a date.
   sDate = InputBox$("Enter a date in the mm/dd/yy format")
   ' Get difference between dates.
   intNumDays = CInt(DateValue(sDate) - Now())
   ' Determine if difference is past or future.
   If Sgn(intNumDays) = 1 Then
      MsgBox "Days between " + sDate + " and today :" + CStr(intNumDays)
   Else
      MsgBox "The date " + sDate + " was" + CStr(Abs(intNumDays)) _
      + " day(s) ago."
   End If
errhandler:
   If Err > 0 Then MsgBox "Please enter a valid date."
End Sub
				
For more information about how to use the sample code in this article, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

212536 OFF2000: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles

REFERENCES

For additional information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

226118 OFF2000: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for Applications


Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/30/2002
Keywords:kbdtacode kbhowto kbinfo kbmacroexample KB211445