To get the current date in Excel, use the TODAY function, which requires no parameters and is automatically updated. Use it by entering =TODAY(), which can be used to calculate deadlines, mark overdue tasks in combination with IF, calculate age or highlight dates that are about to expire, and be aware that it depends on system time and returns only dates rather than time.

If you're working with dates in Excel and need to get the current date automatically, the TODAY function is exactly what you need. It's simple, it's built-in, and it updates every time your worksheet reccalculates — which makes it super handy for tracking deadlines, calculating durations, or just keeping a live timestamp.

How to Use TODAY Function in Excel

The syntax is straightforward:

 =TODAY()

You don't need any arguments for this function. Just type it into a cell, press Enter, and boom — it shows today's date. And the best part? It updates automatically every time you open or recalculate the sheet.

This function is especially useful when combined with other formulas. For example, if you want to calculate how many days are left until a deadline listed in cell A1, you can use:

 =A1 - TODAY()

That will give you the number of days remaining (or negative days if the deadline has passed).

Formatting the Date Correctly

• Excel typically formats the result of TODAY() as a date by default, but sometimes it might show up as a serial number.
• If that happens, just right-click the cell, choose Format Cells , and select a date format under the Number tab.
• You can also use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl Shift # to quickly apply a date format.

Here are some common date formats you might want:

• mm/dd/yyyy
• dd-mm-yyyy
• dddd, mmmm dd, yyyy (for full day and month names)

Choose one that fits your worksheet style or regional settings.

Practical Uses of TODAY Function

There are tons of everyday uses for the TODAY function. Here are a few examples you might find helpful:

• Track overdue items : Combine TODAY() with an IF statement to flag overdue tasks.
  Example: =IF(A2

• Calculate age from a birthday : If someone's birthday is in cell B2, you can use:
  =DATEDIF(B2, TODAY(), "y")
  That gives you their current age in years.

• Highlight upcoming deadlines : Use conditional formatting with a formula like:
  =AND(A2 > TODAY(), A2 <br> This highlights dates within the next 7 days.

These are just a few ideas — the real power comes when you start combining TODAY() with other functions like IF , VLOOKUP , or TEXT .

Things to Keep in Mind

• The TODAY() function updates based on your system clock. So make sure your computer's date is correct.
• It only returns the current date , not the time. If you need both date and time, use NOW() instead.
• Recalculation happens when you open the file or press F9 . If your workbook is set to manual calculation, TODAY() won't update unless you trigger a reccalculation.

Also, avoid using TODAY() in static reports where you want a fixed date — because it always changes.

Basically that's it.

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