TODAY and NOW in Google Sheets - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

📊 Formula Result

intermediate

What is the output of =TODAY() if today is 2024-06-15?

Assuming the current date is June 15, 2024, what will the formula =TODAY() display in a Google Sheets cell?

Google Sheets

=TODAY()

A 2024-06-15

B The current time including hours and minutes

C 06/15/2024 12:00 PM

D 2024-06-15 00:00:00

💡 Hint

Remember, TODAY() returns only the date part without time.

The =TODAY() function returns the current date only, without any time information. So it shows 2024-06-15 if that is the current date.

📊 Formula Result

intermediate

What does =NOW() show in Google Sheets?

If you enter =NOW() in a cell, what kind of value will it display?

Google Sheets

=NOW()

A The current date and time including hours and minutes

B Only the current date without time

C Only the current time without date

D The date and time of the last sheet edit

💡 Hint

Think about what NOW() means in real life: the exact moment you look at the clock.

The =NOW() function returns the current date and time, including hours and minutes, updating every time the sheet recalculates.

❓ Function Choice

advanced

Which formula updates the time every time the sheet recalculates?

You want a cell to always show the current time that updates automatically. Which formula should you use?

A =TIME()

B =TODAY()

C =NOW()

D =DATE()

💡 Hint

TODAY() only updates the date, not the time.

=NOW() returns the current date and time and updates whenever the sheet recalculates. =TODAY() only updates the date. =TIME() and =DATE() require arguments and do not update automatically.

🎯 Scenario

advanced

Calculate days passed since a date using TODAY()

You have a date in cell A1: 2024-01-01. Which formula correctly calculates how many days have passed from that date until today?

A =DATEDIF(A1, NOW(), "M")

B =NOW() - A1

C =A1 - TODAY()

D =TODAY() - A1

💡 Hint

Remember that subtracting dates gives the number of days between them.

=TODAY() - A1 subtracts the past date from today’s date, giving the number of days passed. =NOW() includes time, which can cause decimals. =DATEDIF with "M" returns months, not days.

❓ data_analysis

expert

Analyze formula behavior with volatile functions TODAY() and NOW()

You have a sheet with these formulas in cells:

A1: =TODAY()
B1: =NOW()

After opening the sheet at 9:00 AM and then again at 3:00 PM the same day, what will happen to the values in A1 and B1?

A A1 updates to the new time; B1 stays the same

B A1 stays the same; B1 updates to the new current time

C Both A1 and B1 stay the same as when the sheet was first opened

D Both A1 and B1 update to the new current date and time

💡 Hint

TODAY() changes only when the date changes, NOW() updates with time.

=TODAY() returns the current date and only changes when the date changes (midnight). =NOW() returns current date and time and updates whenever the sheet recalculates or is opened.

Practice

1. What does the TODAY() function return in Google Sheets?

easy

A. The current date and time

B. The current time without the date

C. The current date without the time

D. A fixed date set by the user

Solution

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

   The TODAY() function returns the current date only, without any time information.

2. Step 2: Compare with other functions

   NOW() returns both date and time, so it is different from TODAY().

3. Final Answer:

   The current date without the time -> Option C

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 be included in TODAY()
• Thinking TODAY() returns a fixed date

2. Which of the following is the correct way to write the formula that shows the current date and time in Google Sheets?

easy

A. =NOW()

B. =TODAY()

C. =CURRENT()

D. =DATE()

Solution

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

   The function NOW() returns the current date and time in Google Sheets.

2. Step 2: Check other options

   TODAY() returns only the date; CURRENT() and DATE() are invalid or require parameters.

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
• Typing CURRENT() which is not a valid function
• Using DATE() without parameters

3. If cell A1 contains the formula =NOW() and cell A2 contains =TODAY(), which of the following is true about their outputs?

medium

A. A1 shows date only; A2 shows date and time

B. Both show date only

C. Both show date and time

D. A1 shows date and time; A2 shows date only

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand outputs of NOW() and TODAY()

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

2. Step 2: Match outputs to cells

   Cell A1 with =NOW() shows date and time; A2 with =TODAY() shows date only.

3. Final Answer:

   A1 shows date and time; A2 shows date only -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   NOW() = date & time, TODAY() = date only [OK]

Hint: NOW() includes time, TODAY() does not [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping outputs of NOW() and TODAY()
• Expecting TODAY() to show time
• Thinking NOW() shows date only

4. You entered =TODAY (without parentheses) in a cell. What will happen?

medium

A. It will show an error

B. It will show the current time

C. It will show the text '=TODAY'

D. It will show the current date

Solution

1. Step 1: Check function syntax

   Functions in Google Sheets require parentheses, even if empty, so =TODAY is incomplete syntax.

2. Step 2: Result of missing parentheses

   Without parentheses, Google Sheets returns an error indicating invalid formula.

3. Final Answer:

   It will show an error -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Functions need () to work, else error [OK]

Hint: Always include () after function names [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting parentheses for functions
• Expecting function to work without ()
• Typing function name as text

5. You want to create a spreadsheet that shows the current date and time in cell A1 and updates automatically 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 date and time automatically

C. =NOW() but it only updates when you manually refresh

D. =TODAY() but it only updates when you open the sheet

Solution

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

   NOW() returns both current date and time, while TODAY() returns only date.

2. Step 2: Understand update behavior

   NOW() updates automatically when the sheet recalculates, showing fresh date and time.

3. Final Answer:

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

4. Quick Check:

   NOW() updates date & time automatically [OK]

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

Common Mistakes:

• Using TODAY() expecting time updates
• Thinking NOW() updates only on manual refresh
• Confusing update triggers for TODAY()