The TODAY function in Excel allows you to easily insert the current date into a cell. This dynamic function updates automatically each time the worksheet is opened or recalculated, ensuring the displayed date is always current. This eliminates the need for manual updates and is particularly useful for tasks like tracking deadlines, creating invoices, or generating reports with time-sensitive information.
The syntax of the TODAY function is remarkably simple: =TODAY(). No arguments are required. When entered into a cell, this formula instantly displays the current date according to your system’s date settings. By default, Excel formats the cell containing the TODAY function as a date. This means the date will be displayed in a format familiar to you, such as MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY, depending on your regional settings.
While the default date format is convenient for display, Excel actually stores dates as serial numbers. This allows for date calculations and comparisons. January 1, 1900, is represented by the serial number 1, and each subsequent day increments this number by one. You can view this serial number by changing the cell format to “General” or “Number”. This underlying numerical representation is how Excel can perform calculations with dates, such as determining the number of days between two dates.
To add days to the current date, you can simply add a number to the TODAY function. For example, =TODAY()+7 will return the date seven days from today. This is useful for calculating future deadlines or projecting dates based on the current date. Similarly, subtracting a number from the TODAY function calculates past dates.
You can also use the TODAY function within other date-related functions in Excel to perform more complex calculations. The YEAR, MONTH, and DAY functions can extract the respective components from the date returned by TODAY. For instance, =YEAR(TODAY()) returns the current year. This allows for calculations like determining age based on a birth year: =YEAR(TODAY()) - [Birth Year].
Beyond simple date insertion, the TODAY function is a cornerstone for many dynamic worksheets and automated reports. Combining TODAY with other functions allows for powerful date manipulation and analysis within Excel.
You can also calculate the number of days between today and a future date. For example, =DATEVALUE("1/1/2030")-TODAY() will return the number of days between the current date and January 1, 2030. Remember to format the cell as “General” or “Number” to see the numerical result.
The TODAY function is a volatile function, meaning it recalculates every time the worksheet is changed or opened. While this ensures the date is always current, it can sometimes impact performance in very large or complex spreadsheets. If automatic recalculation is causing slowdowns, you can adjust the calculation settings in Excel to manual recalculation.
