The TODAY and NOW functions in Excel are indispensable tools for working with dates and times. Whether you’re creating dynamic schedules, tracking deadlines, or performing time-based calculations, these functions ensure your data stays up-to-date automatically.
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the TODAY and NOW functions, explore their syntax, provide practical examples, discuss advanced use cases, and demonstrate how tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can streamline your workflows.
What Are the TODAY and NOW Functions?
TODAY Function: The TODAY function returns the current date, dynamically updated whenever the workbook is recalculated.
Syntax:
=TODAY()
The function has no arguments.
Example: If today’s date is December 18, 2024, the formula:
=TODAY()
Result: 18-Dec-2024
NOW Function: The NOW function returns the current date and time, dynamically updated with each recalculation.
Syntax:
=NOW()
The function has no arguments.
Example:
If the current date and time are December 18, 2024, 3:15 PM, the formula:
=NOW()
Result: 18-Dec-2024 15:15
Why Use TODAY and NOW?
These functions are particularly useful for:
- Dynamic Reports: Automatically update reports with the current date and time.
- Calculating Deadlines: Determine days remaining until or past a specific date.
- Time Tracking: Record timestamps for events or activities.
- Dynamic Dashboards: Create real-time analytics based on the current date or time.
Step-by-Step Guide with Examples
Example 1: Calculate Days Until a Deadline
You have a project deadline in column A, and you want to calculate the number of days remaining.
Data:
Deadline (A1)
31-Dec-2024
Formula:
=A1 – TODAY()
Result: 13 (if today is 18-Dec-2024)
Example 2: Add Days to the Current Date
You want to calculate a date 30 days from today.
Formula:
=TODAY() + 30
Result: 17-Jan-2025
Example 3: Calculate Elapsed Time in Hours
You’re tracking the duration of an event that started at a specific date and time.
Data:
Start Time (A1)
18-Dec-2024 08:00
Formula:
=(NOW() – A1) * 24
Explanation:
- NOW() returns the current date and time.
- Subtracting the start time gives the difference in days.
- Multiplying by 24 converts days to hours.
Result: 7 (if it’s currently 3:00 PM on 18-Dec-2024)
Example 4: Extract Only the Time
You want to display only the time from the NOW function.
Formula:
=NOW() – TODAY()
Explanation:
- NOW() includes both the date and time.
- Subtracting TODAY() leaves only the fractional time portion.
Result: 0.625 (which corresponds to 3:00 PM if formatted as time)
Example 5: Dynamic Age Calculation
You’re calculating someone’s age based on their date of birth in column A.
Formula:
=DATEDIF(A1, TODAY(), “y”)
Explanation:
- DATEDIF calculates the difference between two dates in years.
- A1 is the birth date, and TODAY() provides the current date.
Result: 30 (if the person was born on 18-Dec-1994)
Example 6: Create Timestamps for Actions
You’re tracking when a task is marked as complete. Use NOW to capture the exact timestamp.
Formula:
=IF(B1=”Complete”, NOW(), “”)
Explanation:
- If the status in column B is “Complete”, the current date and time are recorded.
- Otherwise, the cell remains blank.
Advanced Use Cases for TODAY and NOW
1. Highlight Overdue Tasks
Use conditional formatting to highlight overdue tasks.
Formula for Conditional Formatting:
=A1 < TODAY()
Explanation: If the deadline in column A is earlier than today’s date, the cell is highlighted.
2. Calculate the Next Anniversary
Determine the next occurrence of an annual event, such as a birthday.
Formula:
=DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(A1), DAY(A1))
Explanation: A1 contains the date of the event, YEAR(TODAY()) ensures the event is calculated for the current year.
3. Calculate Workdays Remaining
Exclude weekends and holidays from a countdown.
Formula:
=NETWORKDAYS(TODAY(), A1, Holidays)
Explanation:
- A1 is the deadline.
- Holidays is a named range containing holiday dates.
- NETWORKDAYS calculates workdays only.
4. Combine with Dynamic Charts
Create charts that dynamically adjust based on the current date.
Example:
Use a range of dates starting with TODAY:
=TODAY() + ROW(A1:A10) – 1
Result: Generates a list of dates for the next 10 days.
5. Time Difference Between Events
Calculate the time difference between two events in hours and minutes.
Formula:
=TEXT(B1 – A1, “h:mm”)
Explanation:
- B1 is the end time, and A1 is the start time.
- TEXT formats the difference as hours and minutes.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Misunderstanding Recalculation:Both TODAY and NOW update dynamically whenever the workbook recalculates. Use static values (e.g., Ctrl + ; for date or Ctrl + Shift + ; for time) if a fixed timestamp is needed.
- Formatting Issues: Always apply the appropriate date or time format to cells containing these functions.
- Using NOW for Date Calculations: If you don’t need the time, use TODAY to avoid unintended results.
How ChatGPT and Copilot Can Simplify TODAY and NOW
1. Generate Custom Formulas
ChatGPT can help craft formulas for specific use cases.
Example: “How can I calculate the number of workdays between today and a deadline in cell A1, excluding holidays?”
ChatGPT Suggestion: =NETWORKDAYS(TODAY(), A1, Holidays)
2. Debugging Formulas
If your formula isn’t working as expected, ChatGPT can troubleshoot it.
Example: “Why does =TODAY() + 30 return a number instead of a date?”
ChatGPT Insight: The cell is formatted as a number. Change it to a date format.
3. Automating Reports with Copilot
Microsoft Copilot in Excel can automate time-based calculations for dynamic reporting.
Example Workflow with Copilot:
- Describe Your Task: “Create a dashboard showing tasks due in the next 7 days and highlight overdue ones.”
- Automated Formula Creation: =AND(A1 >= TODAY(), A1 <= TODAY() + 7)
- Dynamic Updates: Copilot links the formulas to live data for automatic updates.
4. Handling Large Datasets
When working with thousands of rows, Copilot can:
- Apply time-based formulas across the dataset.
- Create visual indicators for overdue or upcoming deadlines.
5. Suggesting Alternatives
If TODAY or NOW isn’t the best fit, ChatGPT and Copilot can recommend alternatives like:
- EDATE for monthly intervals.
- EOMONTH for end-of-month calculations.
Conclusion
The TODAY and NOW functions are powerful tools for date and time management in Excel. Whether you’re tracking deadlines, calculating durations, or building dynamic reports, these functions provide real-time updates and enhance productivity.
With the added support of ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, you can:
- Generate and debug formulas effortlessly.
- Automate repetitive tasks.
- Handle large datasets and create dynamic dashboards with ease.
Start using TODAY and NOW in your Excel projects today, and let AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot take your time-based calculations to the next level. If you found this guide helpful, share it with your team and explore more Excel tips and tricks!