# EDATE

Spread for WinForms provides advanced software components that support Excel import/export, full cell customization, an extensive calculation engine with over 450 functions and more, all with zero dependencies on Excel.

## Content

This function calculates the date that is the indicated number of months before or after a specified date.

## Syntax

EDATE(*startdate*,*months*)

## Arguments

This function has these arguments:

| **Argument** | **Description** |
| -------- | ----------- |
| *startdate* | Starting date |
| *months* | Number of months before (negative) or after (positive) the starting date; if not an integer, the number is truncated. |

## Remarks

Use this function to calculate maturity dates or due dates that fall on the same day of the month as the date of issue.

## Data Types

Accepts numeric, string, or DateTime object data for the startdate argument and numeric data for the months argument. Returns a numeric value (an excel serial number as new date).

## Examples

`EDATE(A1,-6)`
`EDATE(R1C1,4)`
`EDATE("2004/01/09",2)` gives the result 38055

## Version Available

This function is available in product version 1.0 or later. 

> !type=note
> **Note:** If a user uses LegacyBehaviors.CalculationEngine, EDATE function will return the DateTime object instead of the serial numeric value.

## See Also

[DATE](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-formula/formulas-functionsall/formulas-functsDtoG/FunctionDATE) \| [EOMONTH](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-formula/formulas-functionsall/formulas-functsDtoG/FunctionEOMONTH) \| [Date and Time Functions](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-formula/formulas-overview/formulas-functs/formulas-functtypes/formulas-functsdatetime)