NETWORKDAYS Function: syntax, examples, mistakes and translation notes
Counts working days between dates.
Syntax
=NETWORKDAYS(start_date, end_date, [holidays])
Arguments
start_date
First date in the interval.
end_date
Last date in the interval.
holidays
Optional range of dates to exclude in addition to weekends.
Worked examples
=NETWORKDAYS(A2,B2,Holidays!A:A)
Counts weekdays between A2 and B2 excluding listed holidays.
=NETWORKDAYS(DATE(2026,9,1),DATE(2026,9,30))
Counts standard Monday–Friday workdays in September 2026.
Practical tips
- Use NETWORKDAYS.INTL when weekends are not Saturday/Sunday.
- Holiday cells must contain real date values.
- Confirm whether your business rule counts both start and end dates.
Common mistakes
- Supplying holiday labels or text dates instead of real date values.
- Using NETWORKDAYS when the organization has a nonstandard weekend pattern.
Related functions
Frequently asked questions
What does NETWORKDAYS do?
Counts working days between dates.
Why might a NETWORKDAYS formula return an unexpected result?
Supplying holiday labels or text dates instead of real date values. Start by testing the smallest referenced range or condition independently before adding wrappers or fallbacks.
Check the complete formula
Function syntax is only one part of a working workbook. Paste the finished expression into the Formula Checker for structural warnings, the Formatter for readability or the Translator when a supported locale mapping is involved.
Testing note: examples are educational. Spreadsheet versions, locale settings, tables, named ranges and workbook data can change behavior, so validate important formulas with representative data.