Date & Time

TODAY Function in Excel

Returns the current date. Updates automatically when the worksheet recalculates.

Syntax

  • =TODAY()

Examples

  • =TODAY() - Get current date - Result: 1/21/2026
  • =TODAY()-A1 - Days since date in A1 - Result: Number of days
  • =YEAR(TODAY()) - Get current year - Result: 2026

TODAY best practices

  • Use TODAY for rolling deadlines, aging reports, and date-based dashboards.
  • Remember that TODAY updates automatically when the workbook recalculates.

Excel TODAY function documentation

  • TODAY is a Date & Time function that returns the current date as an Excel serial number — no arguments.
  • Syntax: =TODAY(). Updates automatically when the workbook recalculates on a new calendar day.
  • Displays as a date when the cell is formatted as Date; underlying value is a serial number.
  • Related: [NOW](/functions/now/), [DATE](/functions/date/), [DATEDIF](/functions/datedif/), [NETWORKDAYS](/functions/networkdays/).

TODAY syntax and volatile behavior

  • TODAY has no parameters — write =TODAY() only.
  • Volatile: recalculates on every full workbook calculation, not just at midnight.
  • Does not include time — use [NOW](/functions/now/) for date + time stamp.
  • To freeze today's date: copy cell → Paste Special → Values (static snapshot).

Step-by-step: days until deadline column

  • Step 1 — Due dates in column B starting at B2.
  • Step 2 — Days remaining: =B2-TODAY() in column C.
  • Step 3 — Format C as number; negative values mean overdue.
  • Step 4 — Conditional format: red when =C2<0, yellow when =C2<=7.
  • Step 5 — For business days use [NETWORKDAYS](/functions/networkdays/)(TODAY(), B2) instead.

TODAY vs NOW vs manual date entry

  • TODAY — current date only; best for age, tenure, countdowns.
  • NOW — date and time; audit logs and timestamps.
  • Typing a date — static; does not update — use TODAY when report must roll forward daily.
  • Category: [Date & Time functions](/categories/date-time/).

Worked examples to copy

  • Age in years: =DATEDIF(A2, TODAY(), "Y").
  • Due in 30 days: =TODAY()+30.
  • Month-to-date flag: =MONTH(A2)=MONTH(TODAY()).
  • Year label: =YEAR(TODAY())&" Budget" for rolling title cell.

People also ask

  • Does TODAY update automatically? — Yes on recalc when the calendar date changes.
  • TODAY vs Ctrl+; shortcut? — Shortcut inserts static today; TODAY is live formula.
  • TODAY in Google Sheets? — Same concept; function name is TODAY().
  • Why TODAY shows wrong date? — Check system clock or whether workbook uses manual calculation (F9).

Common errors

  • Volatile function - recalculates on every change
  • Returns date serial number, format as date

Use cases

  • Age calculations
  • Due date tracking
  • Dynamic reports

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the TODAY function in Excel? TODAY returns the current date as a serial number that Excel displays as a date. The syntax is simply =TODAY() with no arguments. It automatically updates whenever the worksheet recalculates. For example, if today is January 21, 2026, =TODAY() returns that date. It's essential for age calculations, due dates, and dynamic reports.
  • What is the difference between TODAY and NOW in Excel? TODAY returns only the current date (no time component), while NOW returns both date and time. =TODAY() might show 1/21/2026, while =NOW() shows 1/21/2026 2:30 PM. Use TODAY for date-only calculations (age, days until deadline). Use NOW when you need the exact time, like timestamps.
  • How do I calculate age using TODAY? Use DATEDIF with TODAY: =DATEDIF(birthdate, TODAY(), "Y") returns age in complete years. For more detail: =DATEDIF(A1, TODAY(), "Y")&" years, "&DATEDIF(A1, TODAY(), "YM")&" months". Alternatively, =INT((TODAY()-birthdate)/365.25) gives approximate age. DATEDIF is more accurate for exact years.
  • Why does TODAY show a number instead of a date? Excel stores dates as serial numbers (days since January 1, 1900). If TODAY shows a number like 46043, the cell is formatted as Number, not Date. Right-click the cell, select Format Cells, choose Date, and select your preferred format. The underlying value is correct; only the display format needs changing.
  • How do I stop TODAY from updating automatically? TODAY is a volatile function that updates on every recalculation. To freeze the date: 1) Copy the cell and Paste Special > Values; 2) Use Ctrl+; (semicolon) to enter a static date; 3) Use VBA to capture the date once. For timestamps that don't change, Ctrl+; enters today's date as a static value, not a formula.

Editorial review

  • Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.

When to use TODAY

  • Age calculations — common Date & Time scenario for TODAY.
  • Due date tracking — common Date & Time scenario for TODAY.
  • Dynamic reports — common Date & Time scenario for TODAY.

TODAY in the Date & Time category

  • Browse all Date & Time functions at /categories/date-time/ for related formulas.
  • TODAY syntax: =TODAY()
  • Confirm TODAY arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.

Formula checklist before you copy down

  • Confirm TODAY arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
  • If results look wrong, check for text stored as numbers and invisible spaces with TRIM.
  • Spot-check three known input rows manually against expected output.

Related Excel functions

  • NOW (/functions/now/): Returns the current date and time.
  • DATE (/functions/date/): Creates a date from year, month, and day components.
  • YEAR (/functions/year/): Returns the year of a date as a four-digit number.
  • MONTH (/functions/month/): Returns the month of a date as a number from 1 to 12.
  • DAY (/functions/day/): Returns the day of a date as a number from 1 to 31.

Errors to watch for

  • Volatile function - recalculates on every change — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.
  • Returns date serial number, format as date — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.

Copy-paste audit workflow

  • Enter TODAY on three test rows with known expected output documented on a QA tab.
  • Fill down only after absolute references are locked on lookup tables and rate tables.
  • Compare against manual calculation or a calculator for financial and statistical functions.
  • Search this directory for comparison guides when choosing between similar functions in the same category.

TODAY worked examples to copy

  • =TODAY() — Get current date. Expected result: 1/21/2026.
  • =TODAY()-A1 — Days since date in A1. Expected result: Number of days.
  • =YEAR(TODAY()) — Get current year. Expected result: 2026.

TODAY reference summary for crawlers and offline review

  • TODAY belongs to the Date & Time category in Excel. Returns the current date. Updates automatically when the worksheet recalculates.
  • Full syntax: =TODAY(). Open /functions/today/ for parameters, FAQs, and related pages.
  • Common mistakes: Volatile function - recalculates on every change; Returns date serial number, format as date
  • Pair this function with comparison guides when another Excel formula might fit the same task better.
  • Review fix-excel-formula-errors when unexpected errors appear after upgrading Excel or sharing across locales.