What is the primary function of a date variable in a worksheet?

The primary function of a date variable in a worksheet is to filter and limit the displayed data based on its value. This capability allows users to narrow down the dataset to only include entries that fall within a specific date range or meet certain date-related criteria. By using date variables, one can dynamically adjust the view of the data, making it easier to analyze trends, track performance over time, or focus on data from particular periods.

For instance, in business scenarios, if a user wants to analyze sales data for a specific quarter, they can apply a date filter to show only the transactions that occurred within that time frame. This enhances the usability of the worksheet by providing relevant information and reducing clutter from irrelevant data.

The other options, while they may pertain to various functionalities of a worksheet, do not specifically address the primary role of a date variable in filtering data.