TODAY and NOW functions in Excel - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

The TODAY and NOW functions help you get the current date and time automatically in your spreadsheet. They update every time you open or change the sheet, so you always see the latest date or time without typing it manually.

When you want to show today's date on a report or invoice automatically.

When you need to track the current time for a time log or attendance sheet.

When calculating how many days have passed since a certain date.

When creating a deadline countdown that updates every day.

When stamping the current date and time for data entry records.

Steps

Step 1: Click

- a blank cell where you want the current date

The cell is selected and ready for input

Step 2: Type

- the formula bar

The formula appears in the cell and formula bar

💡 Type =TODAY() to get the current date without time

Step 3: Press

- Enter key

The cell shows today's date in default date format

Step 4: Click

- another blank cell

The cell is selected for input

Step 5: Type

- the formula bar

The formula appears in the cell and formula bar

💡 Type =NOW() to get the current date and time

Step 6: Press

- Enter key

The cell shows the current date and time in default format

Before vs After

Before

Cell A1 is empty

After

Cell A1 shows today's date (e.g., 2024-06-15) after typing =TODAY()

Settings Reference

Cell Format

📍 Home tab > Number group > Number Format dropdown

Change how the date or time looks in the cell

Default: General or Date

Common Mistakes

Typing =TODAY without parentheses

Excel needs parentheses even if there are no arguments

Always type =TODAY() with the parentheses

Expecting =NOW() to stay the same after opening the file later

These functions update automatically every time the sheet recalculates

Use copy-paste as values if you want to keep a fixed date/time

Summary

TODAY() shows the current date and updates automatically.

NOW() shows the current date and time and updates automatically.

Remember to use parentheses even if no arguments are needed.

Practice

1. What does the Excel function TODAY() return when entered in a cell?

easy

A. The current date without the time

B. The current time without the date

C. The current date and time

D. The date and time of the last file save

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of TODAY()

   The function TODAY() returns only the current date, not including time.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   NOW() returns date and time, so TODAY() is only date.

3. Final Answer:

   The current date without the time -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   TODAY() = current date only [OK]

Hint: TODAY() shows date only, no time included [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing TODAY() with NOW()
• Expecting time to appear with TODAY()
• Thinking TODAY() updates only when file is opened

2. Which of the following is the correct way to write the formula that returns the current date and time in Excel?

easy

A. =NOW()

B. =TODAY()

C. =DATE()

D. =TIME()

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the function for current date and time

   NOW() returns both current date and time.

2. Step 2: Check other options

   TODAY() returns only date; DATE() and TIME() require arguments.

3. Final Answer:

   =NOW() -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   NOW() = current date and time [OK]

Hint: Use NOW() for date and time, TODAY() for date only [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using TODAY() to get time
• Writing DATE() or TIME() without arguments
• Missing equal sign in formula

3. If cell A1 contains the formula =NOW() and the current date and time is June 15, 2024, 3:30 PM, what will be displayed in A1 (assuming default date-time format)?

medium

A. 6/15/2024

B. 3:30 PM

C. 6/15/2024 3:30 PM

D. 15-Jun-2024

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what NOW() returns

   NOW() returns current date and time as a serial number formatted by default to show both.

2. Step 2: Interpret default formatting

   Default format shows date and time together, e.g., "6/15/2024 3:30 PM".

3. Final Answer:

   6/15/2024 3:30 PM -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   NOW() shows date and time [OK]

Hint: NOW() shows date and time together by default [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting only date or only time from NOW()
• Confusing default date format with custom formats
• Ignoring time portion in NOW() output

4. You entered =TODAY() in cell B2, but it shows a date from last week instead of today's date. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. Excel does not support TODAY() function

B. TODAY() function requires arguments to update

C. The cell is formatted as text

D. The computer's system date is set incorrectly

Solution

1. Step 1: Check function behavior

   TODAY() updates automatically to current date based on system clock.

2. Step 2: Analyze possible causes

   If date is old, system date is likely incorrect; TODAY() needs no arguments and Excel supports it.

3. Final Answer:

   The computer's system date is set incorrectly -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   TODAY() depends on system date [OK]

Hint: Check your computer's date if TODAY() shows wrong date [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking TODAY() needs arguments
• Assuming Excel doesn't support TODAY()
• Not checking cell formatting or system date

5. You want to create a spreadsheet that shows the current date and time in cell A1 and automatically updates every time the sheet recalculates. Which formula should you use, and why?

hard

A. =TODAY() because it updates date and time automatically

B. =NOW() because it updates both date and time automatically

C. =TODAY() + NOW() to combine date and time

D. =NOW() but it only updates when you open the file

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify function that updates date and time

   NOW() returns current date and time and updates on recalculation.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   TODAY() returns only date; adding TODAY() + NOW() is incorrect; NOW() updates on recalculation, not just file open.

3. Final Answer:

   =NOW() because it updates both date and time automatically -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   NOW() updates date and time on recalculation [OK]

Hint: Use NOW() for auto-updating date and time [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using TODAY() expecting time to update
• Adding TODAY() and NOW() incorrectly
• Thinking NOW() updates only on file open