Excel Current Date Formula | How to Automatically Insert Today’s Date in Excel

Introduction to Excel Current Date Formula

Need to display the current date in your spreadsheet automatically? 📅 Whether you’re creating dynamic reports, tracking tasks, or calculating due dates, the Excel current date formula makes it easy to insert and update today’s date in real time.

Best of all, it works smoothly across Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu/Linux environments using the same simple function. Let’s walk through how to use the TODAY() formula to make your Excel sheets smarter and more efficient.

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What Is the Current Date Formula in Excel?

The go-to function for inserting the current date is:

=TODAY()

Every time you open or refresh the worksheet, this function updates to reflect today’s actual date.

🧠 It’s dynamic — meaning no manual updates required!

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Syntax of the TODAY Function

=TODAY()

It takes no arguments. Just type it into a cell, press Enter, and Excel does the rest.

✔️ Output example: 05/10/2025

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How to Insert the Current Date in Excel

1. Click into the cell where you want the date
2. Type =TODAY()
3. Press Enter
4. Done! ✅ The current date appears instantly

📌 Works in:

• Excel 365
• Excel 2019/2016
• LibreOffice Calc
• Google Sheets

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Automatically Updating the Date

The TODAY() formula is volatile, which means it updates every time:

• You open the file
• You make a change
• You trigger recalculation (F9 in Windows)

This ensures your data stays fresh and accurate 📈.

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TODAY vs NOW Functions

Function	Returns	Use Case
TODAY()	Current date only	Due dates, reports, task lists
NOW()	Current date + time	Timestamping, logs, scheduling

👉 Use NOW() if you also need time, but TODAY() is ideal for just the date.

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Using Current Date in Conditional Formatting

Highlight overdue items:

1. Select your due date column
2. Go to Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule
3. Use formula: =A2<TODAY()
4. Apply a red fill or bold text

🔔 Great for task management and alerts.

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Calculating Due Dates with TODAY

You can calculate deadlines relative to the current date:

• In 7 days: =TODAY() + 7
• X days overdue: =TODAY() - B2

📆 Useful for invoice aging, shipping, and deliverables.

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Using TODAY in Project Deadlines

Combine TODAY() with Gantt charts or milestone tracking:

=IF(TODAY()>C2, "Overdue", "On track")

✅ Keep projects visible and on schedule.

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Formatting the Current Date in Excel

Customize how the date appears:

• Select the cell
• Right-click > Format Cells
• Choose Date or Custom format:
  • mm/dd/yyyy
  • dddd, mmmm dd, yyyy
  • yyyy-mm-dd (ISO standard)

🎨 Improves readability and professionalism.

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Freeze Today’s Date as Static Text

Want the date to stop updating?

• Press Ctrl + ; on Windows/Linux
• Press Command + ; on macOS

This inserts a static date — no formula, no auto-update.

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Using Excel Date Formula Across Platforms

🪟 Windows

• =TODAY()
• Shortcut: Ctrl + ; (insert current date)

🍏 macOS

• =TODAY()
• Shortcut: Command + ;

🐧 Ubuntu/Linux (LibreOffice)

• =TODAY() works in Calc
• Shortcut: Ctrl + ;

✅ Seamless experience across operating systems!

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Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Dates

Platform	Shortcut	Inserts
Windows	Ctrl + ;	Current date
macOS	Command + ;	Current date
Ubuntu/Linux	Ctrl + ;	Current date (LibreOffice)

🧠 Use shortcuts for quick manual entry when static data is needed.

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Using TODAY with IF and COUNTIF

Example 1: Tasks due today

=IF(A2=TODAY(), "Due Today", "")

Example 2: Count overdue items

=COUNTIF(A2:A100, "<"&TODAY())

📊 Combine with other functions for interactive dashboards.

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Common Errors with TODAY and Dates

Issue	Cause	Solution
Shows as number	Wrong format	Apply Date formatting
Doesn’t update	Auto-calc off	Press F9 to recalculate
Adds time unexpectedly	Used NOW() instead	Use TODAY() for date only

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TODAY in Excel Tables and Named Ranges

For scalable design:

• Use structured references: =[@DueDate]<TODAY()
• Use named ranges with TODAY to simplify long formulas.

🚀 Keeps your workbook clean and efficient.

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Combining TODAY with NETWORKDAYS or EDATE

📅 Workday-based calculation:

=NETWORKDAYS(TODAY(), B2)

🗓️ Monthly offset:

=EDATE(TODAY(), 1)

Perfect for business calendars and monthly billing cycles.

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Display Current Date in Excel Header/Footer

For printed reports:

1. Go to Page Layout > Page Setup > Header/Footer
2. Insert &D → Current Date
3. Or use &T for Date + Time

📄 Keeps your documents timestamped professionally.

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FAQs About the Excel Current Date Formula

What is the formula for today’s date in Excel?
Use =TODAY().

Does the TODAY function update automatically?
Yes — it updates each time the sheet recalculates.

Can I stop TODAY from changing?
Yes — use Ctrl + ; or Command + ; to insert a static date.

Can I use TODAY in Google Sheets?
Absolutely — =TODAY() works the same way.

How do I calculate days until a date?

=B2 - TODAY()

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Final Thoughts on Using TODAY in Excel

The Excel current date formula is a must-know for anyone managing deadlines, reports, or time-sensitive data. With =TODAY(), you can automate updates, enhance tracking, and simplify formulas across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.

✨ It’s a small function that delivers big results — especially when combined with conditional logic, formatting, and shortcuts.

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

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