TODAY function

1 year ago

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The TODAY function in Excel returns the current date based on the system’s date settings. The result is a date value that Excel can use in calculations or formatting, and it updates automatically whenever the workbook is opened or recalculated.

Syntax

TODAY()

Parameters

The TODAY function does not require any arguments. Simply type TODAY() in a cell to get the current date.

How It Works

The TODAY function returns the current date as a serial number, which represents the number of days since January 1, 1900.
The date is displayed in the format based on your system’s regional settings (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY), but it is stored as a serial number that Excel can use in date-based calculations.

Examples

Basic Usage: To get today’s date, simply enter the following formula:
```
=TODAY()
```
This will return the current date (e.g., January 13, 2025), based on the system’s date.
Use Today’s Date in Calculations: You can use the TODAY function in calculations. For example, to calculate how many days have passed since a specific date:
```
=TODAY() - "2025-01-01"
```
This will return the number of days between January 1, 2025, and the current date.
Combine with Other Functions: You can combine TODAY with other functions. For example, if you want to calculate the number of days remaining until a specific future date:
```
=A1 - TODAY()
```
Where A1 contains a future date. This will return the number of days between today and that date.
Formatting the Date: You can format the result of the TODAY function using the TEXT function to display it in a specific date format. For example:
```
=TEXT(TODAY(), "DD/MM/YYYY")
```
This will display today’s date as 13/01/2025, depending on your regional settings.

Common Use Cases

Calculating Age: You can calculate someone’s age by subtracting their birthdate from today’s date using the TODAY function. For example:
```
=DATEDIF(B1, TODAY(), "Y")
```
This will return the age in years, assuming B1 contains the birthdate.
Tracking Expiration Dates: You can compare a due date or expiration date to today’s date to see if it has passed or how many days are remaining. For example:
```
=IF(A1 < TODAY(), "Expired", "Valid")
```
Where A1 contains a date. This will return “Expired” if the date in A1 is before today, and “Valid” if it’s in the future.
Time-sensitive Calculations: The TODAY function is commonly used in time-sensitive calculations, such as calculating the number of days until a deadline, or for financial projections based on current dates.

Important Notes

The TODAY function is dynamic and updates automatically whenever the worksheet is recalculated. This means the date will change each time you open the file or when the worksheet is updated.
The TODAY function does not include the time; it only returns the current date. If you need both the current date and time, you can use the NOW function.
Since the TODAY function is based on the system date, it will reflect the date according to your computer’s date settings. If you are working in different time zones or need a specific date, you may need to adjust the system settings or use an external date service.

Summary

The TODAY function in Excel returns the current date as a date value. It is useful for calculations involving dates, such as calculating ages, tracking expiration dates, or finding the number of days between dates. It updates automatically and doesn’t require any arguments, making it a convenient way to include the current date in your worksheets.

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