TODAY returns the current date and updates when the workbook recalculates. It is the standard Excel tool for formulas based on the current day, such as overdue checks and deadline countdowns.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2021, Excel 2019, Excel for Mac, and Google Sheets, which uses the same TODAY function.
Insert today’s date
TODAY has empty parentheses and no arguments.
- Click the destination cell.
- Type =TODAY().
- Press Enter.
- If Excel shows a serial number instead of a date, change the number format to Short Date or another date format.
The value updates automatically when the workbook opens or recalculates. You do not need to type a new date each day.
Use TODAY in calculations
Compare a fixed date with the current date.
- Use =TODAY()-A2 to count days since a past date in A2.
- Use =A2-TODAY() to count days remaining until a future date.
- Format the result as Number if Excel displays it as a date.
Because TODAY changes with the current date, the result changes over time without manual edits.
More control
TODAY versus NOW
TODAY returns only the date. NOW returns date and time, making it better for timestamp-style formulas.
Fix a stale TODAY value
Open Formulas > Calculation Options and confirm calculation is Automatic. If calculation is Manual, press F9 or switch back to Automatic.
Insert a static date instead
Use a typed date or the current-date shortcut when the date should never change. TODAY is not right for fixed submission or completion dates.
Use in conditional formatting
A rule such as =A2<TODAY() can highlight overdue dates and update automatically as days pass.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – TODAY function (2025)
- Microsoft Support – NOW function (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Change calculation options in Excel (2025)