How to Insert Today’s Date in MS Excel

3 Methods of inserting today’s date in MS Excel:

  • Inserting today’s date in MS Excel using a keyboard shortcut
  • Inserting today’s date in MS Excel using the TODAY function
  • Inserting today’s date in MS Excel using the NOW function

We will explain these three methods in simple step-by-step instructions.

Let us begin.


Method #1: Inserting Today’s Date in MS Excel Using a Keyboard Shortcut

This is one of the simplest methods to insert today’s date in MS Excel. Note that this method is static. This means when you use the keyboard shortcut to insert the date, it remains constant. The date doesn’t change when you refresh or open your workbook on another day.

Step #1: Open your Excel spreadsheet

Step #2: Select the cell for inserting today’s date

To insert today’s date in a particular cell, click on that cell. 

In our example, it’s A1.

Step #3: Apply the keyboard shortcut

To apply the keyboard shortcut, press the Ctrl key on your keyboard, and while holding it in, also press the ; key. 

This would give you today’s date.

As mentioned before, this will insert today’s date but this will NOT Autoupdate.

If you want to insert an auto-updating date value, then follow the next method(s).


Method #2: Inserting the Current Date Using the TODAY Function

This is a simple function with no arguments or parameters. It would give you the current date. Note that this method is dynamic. So, if you use this function to insert the date, it changes when you refresh or open your workbook on another date.

Step #1: Open your Excel spreadsheet

Step #2: Select the cell to enter the function

To insert the current date in a particular cell, click on that cell. 

In our example, it’s A2.

Step #3: Type in the function

The syntax for the TODAY function is =TODAY().

The function has no parameters or arguments. This function would give you today’s date.

All you have to do is type this syntax into the cell.

Step #4: Press Enter

Once you’re done entering the function, press Enter

Now, that cell will display today’s date.


Method #3: Inserting Today’s Date in MS Excel Using the NOW Function

This is a simple function that gives you the current date and time. This method is dynamic. So, if you use the NOW function, the date and time change when you refresh or open your workbook on another date.

Step #1: Open your Excel spreadsheet

Step #2: Select the cell to enter the function

To insert the current date in a particular cell, click on that cell. 

In our example, it’s A3.

Step #3: Type in the function

The syntax for the NOW function is =NOW(). It takes no parameters or arguments. It’s similar to the TODAY function.

The NOW function gives you both the time and date, while the TODAY function only gives you the date.

All you have to do is type this syntax into the cell.

Step #4: Press Enter

Once you type in the function, press Enter to see the function in action.

Now, that cell will display today’s date and the time.


Conclusion

We hope you found this article useful.

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