Excel functions / Dates
TODAY
Returns today's date, updating automatically every day.
Syntax
=TODAY()How it works
TODAY takes no arguments, but it still needs its brackets. Each time the workbook recalculates, it updates to the current date.
Because dates are numbers, you can subtract and compare them. =C2-TODAY() gives the days until a deadline, and =IF(C2<TODAY(),"Overdue","On track") flags anything past due.
Its partner NOW returns the date and the current time.
Example
| A | B | C | D | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Task | Start | End | ||
| 2 | Design | 2026-01-01 | 2026-01-15 | Overdue | |
| 3 | Build | 2026-01-15 | 2026-02-14 | ||
| 4 |
Result: Overdue. The end date is in the past, so the task is overdue.
Tips
- To stamp a date that never changes, press Ctrl + ; instead of using TODAY.
Practise TODAY
Try it yourself in a real spreadsheet, with instant feedback on every answer.