TODAY Function in Excel

=TODAY()

What is the TODAY function in Excel?

The Excel TODAY function automatically shows the current date in your spreadsheet. Every time you open the file, the date will update to match the current date on your computer calendar.

Imagine looking at a digital clock on your wall. You never have to manually adjust it; it just automatically knows what day it is. The TODAY function works the exact same way for your spreadsheet.

Date & TimeBeginnerWorks in Excel All versions
!Golden Rules

TODAY's 2 golden rules

Reading these is a must. Skipping them is the #1 reason TODAY formulas break.

The formula strictly reads the clock and calendar set on your computer.
If your computer system clock is wrong, your Excel formula will show the wrong date.
TODAY takes no arguments, but you must still type the parentheses. Write =TODAY(), not =TODAY.

Learn with Example: TODAY

  1. Step 1: Understand the Goal We need to instantly show the current date inside our dashboard header. For this example, assume today is 31 July 2026. Your live formula always uses the real current date.
  2. Step 2: Type the Formula To insert the current date, click on the empty cell next to your report name. Type =TODAY(). Type: =TODAY() Empty Parentheses Because this formula reads your computer clock, it does not require you to select any data.
  3. Step 3: Check the Result Press Enter. You will now see the exact current date at the top of your dashboard! Result 07/31/2026

You are building a financial dashboard that is printed every morning. How do you make sure the exact date it was printed always appears at the top?

B3
ƒx
AB
1Live Report Header
2Report NamePrinted Date
3Daily Revenue
4
5
6
Ready
Step-by-step guide1 / 3
Step 1: Understand the Goal

We need to instantly show the current date inside our dashboard header.

For this example, assume today is 31 July 2026. Your live formula always uses the real current date.

When to use TODAY

Here are the most common situations where the TODAY formula will save you time instead of manually typing dates:

  • Finding deadlines: If you need to calculate exactly how many days are left until a project is due.
  • Age calculation: If you need to find out exactly how old an employee or a customer is right now.
  • Live dashboards: If you are building a report and want the top corner to always show the exact date it was opened.

When not to use TODAY

Because this formula is designed to update every single day, you should use a different method for these specific situations:

  • When you need a date that never changes: If you are creating a receipt or an invoice, you do not want the date to change tomorrow. The TODAY function changes every single day. Instead, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + ; to type a permanent date.
  • When you need the exact time with the date: If you need to know the hour and minute alongside the date. Instead, use the NOW function.

TODAY vs NOW

If you need to add a date to your spreadsheet, you must choose between the TODAY formula and the NOW formula. This quick comparison shows which one fits your data.

FeatureTODAY FunctionNOW Function
Best used forShowing the current date onlyShowing the current date and time
Updates automatically?YesYes
Shows the exact time?NoYes
Excel versionAll versionsAll versions
Ease of useBeginnerBeginner

Bottom line: Use the TODAY function for live reports and deadlines. Use the NOW function if you also need to track the exact hour and minute.

Common Mistakes When Using TODAY

Getting a strange number like 45292 instead of a date
This usually happens because Excel stores dates as numbers. If the cell shows a 5-digit number instead of a date, the cell format is incorrectly set to General or Number. You must change the cell format to Short Date to see the correct visual date.
Getting the #NAME? error because you forgot the parentheses ()
This usually happens when you type =TODAY without adding the empty parentheses () at the end. Excel thinks you are trying to type a named range that does not exist. You must always type =TODAY() to tell Excel it is an active formula.
For a complete list of formula errors and how to fix them, see our Common Excel Errors Troubleshooting guide.

Frequently Asked Questions about TODAY

Quick answers about TODAY

How do I add or subtract days from today?

Because Excel treats dates as numbers, you can simply add or subtract at the end of the formula. To find tomorrow's date, type =TODAY()+1. To find the date from exactly one week ago, type =TODAY()-7.

Why does my date change every day?

The formula is completely dynamic. Every time you open the workbook or change a cell, the formula will recalculate to show the exact current day. If you want a date that never changes, you should type the date manually instead of using a formula.

Does this work in Google Sheets?

Yes. The TODAY function works exactly the same way in Google Sheets.

Can I use this inside an IF statement?

Yes. You can use this formula to check if a deadline has passed. For example, typing =IF(A1<TODAY(), "Overdue", "On Time") will check if the date in cell A1 is older than the current date.

TODAY Practice Workbook

Download ready-to-use Excel files and practice TODAY hands-on

Complete Practice File
TODAY Practice Workbook
.xlsx · 76 KB
This file contains:
  • All 5 worked examples (finance, sales, HR, ops, data), each with a table to fill in
  • Blank result cells to write each formula yourself: =TODAY(), subtraction, addition, and IF
  • The copy-down examples set up so you can practise filling the formula down
  • An answer key that matches the assumed date used in every walkthrough
Download Complete File
Reviewed by Grapte teamLast updated September 2026Tested in Microsoft Excel 365