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Current date in Excel: Master TODAY, NOW, and date formatting

Learn how to display and format the current date in Excel using TODAY, NOW, and TEXT. Practical examples, keyboard shortcuts, and common pitfalls for reliable, dynamic date displays in dashboards and reports.

XLS Library
XLS Library Team
·5 min read
Excel TipsFormula SyntaxData Analysis BasicsExcel Shortcuts
Current Date in Excel - XLS Library
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Quick AnswerDefinition

To display the current date in Excel, use TODAY() in a cell. It returns the date for the current system date. For time, NOW() includes the current time. You can format these values with TEXT to produce friendly layouts like 'April 1, 2026'. These functions are volatile and update automatically when the workbook recalculates.

Overview: Why the current date matters in Excel

In any reporting or dashboard, showing the current date helps readers understand the data's freshness. The TODAY() function returns the system date and updates whenever Excel recalculates. This is especially useful for daily summaries, status reports, and time-bound KPIs. The XLS Library team highlights that using TODAY() correctly can reduce manual date updates and keep your visuals accurate across sessions.

Excel Formula
=TODAY()

Formatting tip: combine TODAY() with TEXT to present in readable formats, for example: ```excel =TEXT(TODAY(),"mmmm d, yyyy")

THIS
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Excel Formula
=TEXT(TODAY(),"dddd, mmmm d, yyyy")

Alternative formats: you can tailor to regional preferences, such asexcel =TEXT(TODAY(),"dd/mm/yyyy") or ```excel =TEXT(TODAY(),"mm/dd/yyyy")

DEPENDING
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How it works: TODAY() returns a date serial number. When you format the cell with a date format or TEXT(), Excel displays it as a date string. This is volatile: every workbook calculation can refresh the value.

Steps

Estimated time: 20-40 minutes

  1. 1

    Choose the date function

    Decide between TODAY() for a date and NOW() for date plus time. TODAY() is ideal for daily dashboards where only the date matters.

    Tip: Remember TODAY() is volatile and will update whenever the workbook recalculates.
  2. 2

    Enter the formula in a cell

    Click a cell and type =TODAY(). Validate it displays a date. Press Enter to commit.

    Tip: Use a separate cell if you want to reference this date in other formulas.
  3. 3

    Format the date for readability

    Apply a date format or use TEXT() to customize the appearance. For example, =TEXT(TODAY(),"MMMM d, yyyy").

    Tip: TEXT() is very powerful for consistent display across dashboards.
  4. 4

    Optional: include time

    If you need the current time as well, use NOW() and format accordingly.

    Tip: NOW() updates with workbook recalculation just like TODAY().
  5. 5

    Incorporate into dashboards

    Link TODAY()/NOW() cells to headers or KPIs. Use conditional formatting to emphasize timeliness.

    Tip: Keep the date logic isolated to avoid accidental edits.
  6. 6

    Test across workbook

    Open workbook on another machine or share with collaborators to ensure date displays correctly.

    Tip: Check regional date formats to avoid misinterpretation.
Pro Tip: Plan where to place a dynamic date early in your workbook to ensure consistent references.
Warning: Do not rely on TODAY() for historical data; it will change when recalculated.
Note: If sharing a workbook, ensure calculation mode is automatic so dates refresh without manual intervention.

Prerequisites

Required

Optional

  • Familiarity with date formats and regional settings
    Optional
  • Keyboard shortcuts knowledge for quick date insertion
    Optional

Keyboard Shortcuts

ActionShortcut
Insert current date (today)In the active cell to insert the current dateCtrl+;

People Also Ask

What is the difference between TODAY() and NOW() in Excel?

TODAY() returns only the current date, while NOW() returns the current date and time. Both are volatile and recalculate with workbook changes. Use TEXT() to format them for display.

TODAY gives you today's date; NOW adds the time too. You format them with TEXT to look right in reports.

How do I format the date as dd/mm/yyyy in Excel?

Use =TEXT(TODAY(),"dd/mm/yyyy") or set the cell format to a date format matching your regional settings. TEXT() ensures a consistent display regardless of the system locale.

You can format with TEXT and specify the dd/mm/yyyy pattern.

Can I insert a static date that doesn't change?

Yes. Enter the date manually or paste a value and then use Paste Special > Values to fix it. Functions like TODAY() will not be static unless replaced by a hard value.

You must replace dynamic date functions with a fixed value if you don’t want it to change.

Is TODAY() supported in all Excel versions?

TODAY() has been available for many versions of Excel and remains supported across modern releases. If you’re using a very old version, upgrading is recommended for full functionality.

TODAY() is widely supported across recent Excel versions.

How can I use current date in dashboards without recalculating every time?

Place TODAY() in a dedicated header cell and reference that cell in charts and titles. If you need a frozen date, copy-paste as values to lock the date.

Put the date in one header cell and reuse it across visuals, or convert to a fixed value when needed.

The Essentials

  • Use TODAY() to display the current date automatically
  • Use NOW() to capture date and time together
  • Format dates with TEXT() for readable, locale-friendly display
  • Keyboard shortcuts help insert dates quickly in both Windows and macOS

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