Excelspreadsheet~10 mins

TODAY and NOW functions in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

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Sample Data

This sheet shows the use of TODAY() and NOW() functions. TODAY() returns the current date without time. NOW() returns the current date and time.

Formula Trace

=NOW()

Step 1: NOW()

Cell Reference Map

    A           B
1 | Date Today | =TODAY() |
2 | Time Now  | =NOW()   |

Cells B1 and B2 contain formulas TODAY() and NOW() respectively. They do not reference other cells but get current date/time from system.

Result

    A           B
1 | Date Today | 6/1/2023 |
2 | Time Now  | 6/1/2023 13:00 |

B1 shows today's date without time. B2 shows current date and time. The exact values depend on system clock when formula recalculates.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

Test your understanding

What does the TODAY() function return?

ACurrent date and time

BCurrent time only

CCurrent date without time

DYesterday's date

Key Result

TODAY() returns current date only; NOW() returns current date and time.