If the number of months is positive, the date should move forward.

If the number of months is negative, the date should move backward.

Both approaches are explained below.

Adding months to a date with the EDATE function

The EDATE function

TheEDATE functioncan add or subtract whole months from a date.

Simply supply a valid date and a number formonthsand EDATE will return a new date.

The result in each row is a new date as shown.

Adding months to a date with the EDATE function

In that case, you might switch from the EDATE function to theEOMONTH function.

EOMONTH works just like EDATE, so it is a drop-in replacement.

The day in the start date is not used.

Adding months to a date with the EDATE function

For a more detailed discussion of this topic,see this page.

Use a positive value for months to move forward in time, and a negative number…

Adding months to a date with the EDATE function

Adding months to a date with the EDATE function

The same worksheet after changing the start date

Adding months to a date with the EOMONTH function

Excel formula: Add years to date

Excel formula: Add days to date

Excel EDATE function

Excel EOMONTH function

Adding months to a date with the EDATE function

The same worksheet after changing the start date

Adding months to a date with the EOMONTH function