In the below, cell B4 would be where you enter the desired age. So, for you,
B4 would have 5.

Then, the formula would go next to the child's DOB.

Abslute reference means that no matter where you put the below formula in
the sheet, it will always look at cell B4 for your entered age.

The $ before the B means always look at column B. The $ before the 4 means
always look at row 4. Having a $ before both means always look at B4.

Without the first $, if you copied the formula across a bunch of columns,
the B would become a C, then a D, etc.

same for the 2nd for rows.

Hope this helps!

"Deb" wrote:

Hi Tanya - sorry i could not get this to work. I really am a novice so I am
prob doing something wrong. From your description i put a list of dates of
birth starting in A5 and then in B4 typed in your formula. I also do not
understand what you mean by absolute reference. Thanks

"Tanya" wrote:

If you wanted to find out of each child when they will reach the age of 5 then
this is the formula so all the DOB should be in column A and starting from
Row 5 and the absolute refernce which in this case is age 5 should be just
typed in column B row 4 and this formula is working.

=DATE(YEAR(A)+$B$4,MONTH(A5),DAY(A5))


"Deb" wrote:

I work at a school and I need to create a spreadsheet which tells me when a
child reaches the age of 5 on any given date. Can anyone help. Thanks. Deb