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TODAY and NOW Functions in Excel: Complete Guide with Examples | SheetXAI

D
David DeSouza
Dec 1, 2025
Vector illustration of a calendar with an analog clock and smartphone, representing dynamic date and time functions that update automatically

The Problem

You need to display today's date in a cell, or show the current date and time. This date should update automatically every day without you having to change it manually.

The Easy Way: Use SheetXAI

If you don't want to mess with formulas, the fastest way to do this is simply by asking.

With SheetXAI, you can open the sidebar and type:

Show today's date in this cell.

SheetXAI will instantly write the formula or script for you and fill the cells. It handles the syntax so you can focus on the result.

The Manual Way: The Formulas You Need

To do this manually, you need to use: TODAY or NOW.

1. TODAY

Returns the current date as a serial number. Updates automatically each day. Shows only the date, not the time.

Syntax: =TODAY()

  • No parameters: TODAY() takes no arguments - it automatically gets today's date.

Example: TODAY() returns today's date, like 1/5/2025. It will show 1/6/2025 tomorrow automatically.

2. NOW

Returns the current date and time as a serial number. Updates automatically. Shows both date and time.

Syntax: =NOW()

  • No parameters: NOW() takes no arguments - it automatically gets the current date and time.

Example: NOW() returns the current date and time, like 1/5/2025 3:45 PM. It updates every time the sheet recalculates.

Understanding the Logic

  1. TODAY(): Returns just the date (no time). Use when you only need the date.
  2. NOW(): Returns both date and time. Use when you need the exact current moment.

Key differences:

  • TODAY updates once per day (when Excel recalculates)
  • NOW updates every time Excel recalculates (can be multiple times per day)
  • TODAY shows: 1/5/2025
  • NOW shows: 1/5/2025 3:45:23 PM

Common use cases:

  • TODAY: Age calculations, days until deadline, date stamps
  • NOW: Timestamps, time tracking, logging when data was entered

The Final Formula:

=TODAY()

Conclusion

Now you know the "classic" way to solve this using formulas. It's a great skill to have.

But for those times when you just want the job done without the mental math, SheetXAI is there to help.

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