How To Add Today's Date In Excel

In Excel, adding today's date can streamline your workflow, ensuring that documents and data are time-stamped accurately. This guide will walk you through several methods to insert the current date into your spreadsheet, including automatic updating and static dates, making your Excel experience more efficient and organized.

Using Excel’s Built-in Functions

Excel offers built-in functions that make adding dates a breeze. Here are the primary functions you’ll use:

• TODAY() - Returns the current date.
• NOW() - Returns the current date and time.

To add today's date:

1. Select the cell where you want the date to appear.
2. Type =TODAY() and press Enter. The cell will now show the current date, which will automatically update daily.

💡 Note: If you want the date to remain static, press Ctrl + ; instead of using a function. This will insert the date of when you pressed the keys, without updating.

Keyboard Shortcut for Static Date

• Select the desired cell.
• Press Ctrl + ;. This method inserts the date without any function, meaning it won’t change over time.

Formatting Dates in Excel

Once you’ve entered today’s date, you might want to format it for better readability or to match your project requirements:

1. Select the cell with the date.
2. Right-click and choose “Format cells”.
3. In the “Number” tab, select “Date” from the list on the left.
4. Choose your preferred date format from the available options.

💡 Note: Excel automatically recognizes dates entered with the Ctrl + ; shortcut, but formatting can ensure consistency in presentation.

Using Formulas for Dynamic Dates

While TODAY() provides a simple way to insert the current date, you might need a date relative to today. Here are some examples:

These formulas can be used to track deadlines, anniversaries, or any event relative to the current date.

Formatting Text with Dates

Combine date functions with text to create informative labels or headers:

• Type something like for an automated date stamp.

💡 Note: Formatting cells with text and dates might require adjusting the cell to display the date correctly, as Excel might interpret the cell contents differently.

Creating a Dynamic Date Range

Sometimes, you need a date range that updates automatically:

1. In cell A1, enter =TODAY()-7 to show the date 7 days ago.
2. In cell B1, enter =TODAY() for today’s date.

Now, any table or chart you create using this range will automatically update as the days pass.

To summarize, Excel provides various tools to efficiently add today’s date into your spreadsheets. Whether you need a date that updates daily with TODAY(), want to apply complex dynamic date calculations, or simply need a static date for documentation, Excel’s functionalities cover your needs comprehensively. Use these methods to keep your documents up-to-date and well-organized, ensuring they always reflect the most current information or data relative to the present date.

Related Terms:

• todaydate
• TEXT TODAY Excel
• Date NOW Excel
• Excel current date time
• Excel TODAY date formula
• Today excel not working