TODAY and NOW functions in Excel - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

📊 Formula Result

intermediate

What is the output of =TODAY() in Excel?

If today is June 15, 2024, what value will the formula =TODAY() show in a cell?

Excel

=TODAY()

A The current date without time, e.g., 6/15/2024

B The current date and time, e.g., 6/15/2024 14:30

C The current time only, e.g., 14:30

D A static date that never changes

💡 Hint

Remember, TODAY() returns only the date part, no time.

The TODAY() function returns the current date without any time. It updates automatically each day.

📊 Formula Result

intermediate

What does =NOW() display in Excel?

If the current date and time is June 15, 2024, 3:45 PM, what will =NOW() show?

Excel

=NOW()

A The current date and time, e.g., 6/15/2024 3:45 PM

B Only the current time, e.g., 3:45 PM

C Only the current date, e.g., 6/15/2024

D A fixed timestamp that never changes

💡 Hint

NOW() includes both date and time.

The NOW() function returns the current date and time, updating whenever the sheet recalculates.

❓ Function Choice

advanced

Which function should you use to get only the current date without time?

You want a formula that updates daily to show the current date but does not show the time. Which function is correct?

A NOW()

B TIME()

C DATE()

D TODAY()

💡 Hint

Think about which function excludes the time part.

TODAY() returns only the date. NOW() returns date and time. DATE() and TIME() require arguments.

🎯 Scenario

advanced

You want to calculate the number of days since a project started using TODAY()

If cell A1 has the project start date (e.g., 5/1/2024), which formula correctly calculates how many days have passed until today?

A =A1 - TODAY()

B =NOW() - A1

C =TODAY() - A1

D =DATEDIF(A1, NOW(), "d")

💡 Hint

Subtract the start date from today's date to get days passed.

Subtracting the start date from TODAY() gives the number of days passed. NOW() includes time, which can cause decimals. DATEDIF with NOW() is less common here.

❓ data_analysis

expert

Analyzing formula outputs: What is the difference between =NOW() and =TODAY() in Excel?

You enter =NOW() and =TODAY() in two cells at 9:30 AM on June 15, 2024. What is the difference in their numeric values?

A NOW() and TODAY() return exactly the same numeric value

B NOW() value is TODAY() value plus a fractional part representing time (e.g., 0.3958 for 9:30 AM)

C TODAY() value is NOW() value plus a fractional part representing time

D NOW() returns a text string, TODAY() returns a number

💡 Hint

Excel stores dates as whole numbers and times as fractions of a day.

TODAY() returns the date as a whole number (days since 1/1/1900). NOW() adds the time as a decimal fraction of the day. For example, 9:30 AM is 9.5/24 = 0.3958.

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