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Google Sheetsspreadsheet~5 mins

TODAY and NOW in Google Sheets - Step-by-Step Guide

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Introduction
The TODAY and NOW functions help you add the current date or date and time to your spreadsheet. They update automatically every time you open or change the sheet, so you always see the current day or exact time.
When you want to show today's date on a report or invoice automatically.
When you need to track the exact time a task was completed.
When you want to calculate how many days have passed since a certain date.
When you want to stamp the current date and time on a form submission.
When you want to create a dynamic dashboard that updates daily.
Steps
Step 1: Click
- any empty cell where you want the current date
The cell is selected and ready for input
Step 2: Type
- the selected cell
The formula =TODAY() appears in the cell
💡 This formula shows only the current date without time
Step 3: Press
- Enter key
The cell displays today's date, for example, 2024-06-15
Step 4: Click
- another empty cell where you want the current date and time
The cell is selected and ready for input
Step 5: Type
- the selected cell
The formula =NOW() appears in the cell
💡 This formula shows the current date and time
Step 6: Press
- Enter key
The cell displays the current date and time, for example, 2024-06-15 14:30:00
Before vs After
Before
Cell A1 is empty
After
Cell A1 shows today's date, for example, 2024-06-15
Settings Reference
Date format
📍 Format menu > Number > Date
Controls how the date appears in the cell
Default: Locale default date format
Time format
📍 Format menu > Number > Time
Controls how the time appears in the cell when using NOW()
Default: Locale default time format
Common Mistakes
Typing =TODAY without parentheses
Functions require parentheses even if empty, so the formula won't work
Always type =TODAY() with parentheses
Expecting NOW() to update every second automatically
NOW() updates only when the sheet recalculates, not every second
Manually refresh or edit the sheet to update NOW()
Summary
TODAY() shows the current date and updates daily.
NOW() shows the current date and time and updates when the sheet recalculates.
Remember to use parentheses with both functions even though they have no arguments.

Practice

(1/5)
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()
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