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How to Auto-Insert Today's Date with TODAY and NOW in Excel

Tap a step to see how to auto-insert today's date in Excel.

  1. Auto-fill today's date with the TODAY function

    Typing "=TODAY()" automatically shows the current date every time the file is opened.

  2. Show the current date and time with the NOW function

    Typing "=NOW()" displays the current time along with the date.

  3. Use a shortcut for a date that will not change

    Instead of a function, pressing "Ctrl+;" inserts the date at that exact moment as a fixed value that will not update later.

  4. Change the display format with cell formatting

    Open cell formatting with "Ctrl+1" to display the date however you like, such as "September 10, 2026."

  5. Why it helps

    When you need a report date or a deadline calculation, the TODAY and NOW functions keep the date current every time the file is opened, without ever needing a manual fix.

If you have been manually fixing the date every time you open the file

Instead of typing in the date by hand each day, using TODAY or NOW means the file automatically reflects the latest date and time whenever it is opened, so you never have to correct it manually again.

Why these functions keep changing on their own

TODAY and NOW are "volatile" functions, meaning they recalculate every time the spreadsheet opens or recalculates, rather than storing a fixed value like most formulas. That is exactly what makes them useful for a running "as of today" date, but it also means the cell will never hold a value from the past β€” use the Ctrl+; shortcut instead whenever you need a date that must stay unchanged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the TODAY function to calculate a date difference?

Yes. Using it in a formula like "=TODAY()-A1" automatically calculates how many days have passed from a specific date up to today.

Does the date update even if I don't open the file?

No. TODAY and NOW only update their value when the file is opened or recalculated β€” the value inside a closed file does not change on its own.