how to get the first day of the current month with subtraction

[fayez_MrExcel]

how can i subtract 1 month from the given date to get the first day of the current month. example
A1 = 01/01/09 and B1 has 1(month) and the answer would be 01/02/2009:
i.e.: A1-B1= 01/02/2009
thanks

 

[c_m]

arent you actually adding 1 to month of A1?
in your example you are expecting the result 1st feb 2009 but in the title you say you want first day of current month?

 

[jbeaucaire]

Does your region consider 01/02/2009 to be Februray 1, 2009, or January 2, 2009? Your example is mighty confusing. 1/1/09 - 1month is not 1/2/09, its 1/12/2008 isn't it?

But your words in the question equated to: "how do I determine the first day of the current month?"...but your example did not follow that question.

So, keeping in mind that regional differences with how numeric dates are read, what's the actual date your evaluating and what's your actual goal, in worded date values?

 

[fayez_MrExcel]

CORRECTION: A1= 01/02/09 B1= 1
i.e. A1 - B1 = 01/01/09

 

[fayez_MrExcel]

Actually the value of a1 is always the 1st day of the month also i.e. Jan 1, Feb 1 and so on.

 

[c_m]

=edate(a1,-b1)

 

[fayez_MrExcel]

that works (since the value of a1 is always the first day of the month)...thanks