How to Insert and Format Dates in Excel

The fastest way to add today's date

Press Ctrl+; (semicolon) on Windows or Cmd+; on Mac, and Excel inserts today's date in the cell you have selected. The date appears in your system's default format — usually MM/DD/YYYY in the United States. That keystroke works in any cell, any worksheet, and does not require you to type anything yourself.

If you want the current date and time together, press Ctrl+Shift+; instead. Excel will add both, though the time portion updates only when you open or recalculate the file, not continuously as minutes pass.

These keyboard shortcuts insert a static date — it does not change tomorrow. If you need a date that updates automatically each time you open the file, use a formula instead.

Key Takeaways

Ctrl+; (Windows) or Cmd+; (Mac) inserts today's date as a fixed value that never changes.
The TODAY() function inserts a date that updates to the current date every time you open the file.
Format any date by right-clicking the cell, choosing Format Cells, and selecting from the Date category.
Use the DATE function with specific numbers — DATE(2024,3,15) — when you need a date that does not depend on today.

Using the TODAY function for dates that update

Type =TODAY() into any cell and press Enter. Excel calculates the current date and displays it in that cell. Unlike the keyboard shortcut, this formula updates automatically: when you open the file tomorrow, it shows tomorrow's date.

TODAY() takes no arguments — you cannot tell it to show a different date or add days to it. If you need today's date plus 30 days, type =TODAY()+30 instead. Excel treats dates as numbers internally, so adding or subtracting works directly: =TODAY()-7 gives you last week's date.

The formula recalculates only when you open the file or press F9 to force a recalculation. It does not update in real time while the file sits open.

Entering a specific date you choose

Type the date directly into a cell using your system's date format. In the United States, that is usually 3/15/2024 or 03/15/2024. Excel recognizes the entry as a date, not text, and stores it as a number. You can then use that cell in calculations — subtract one date from another to find the number of days between them.

If Excel treats your date entry as text instead of a date, the cell shows a small green triangle in the corner. This happens most often when the format does not match your system settings. Right-click the cell, choose Format Cells, select the Date category, and pick a format that matches what you typed. Then re-enter the date.

For dates that do not match common formats, use the DATE function: type =DATE(2024,3,15) to create March 15, 2024. The order is always year, month, day, separated by commas. This method works the same way regardless of your system's regional settings.

Changing how a date looks on screen

Excel stores every date as a number but displays it in a format you choose. Right-click any cell containing a date and select Format Cells. Click the Number tab, then choose Date from the Category list on the left. You will see dozens of formats: 3/15/2024, March 15, 2024, 15-Mar-24, 2024-03-15, and many others.

Click the format you want and click OK. The date in that cell now displays in the new format, but the underlying value does not change. If you use that cell in a formula, the calculation still works correctly.

To change the format of multiple cells at once, select them all first — click one, then hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and click the others. Then right-click and choose Format Cells. The format applies to every selected cell.

Adding dates to multiple cells in a sequence

Enter the first date in a cell — either by typing it, using TODAY(), or using the DATE function. In the cell directly below it, enter the next date in your sequence (for example, one day later). Select both cells, then grab the small square at the bottom right corner of the selection and drag it down as far as you need. Excel recognizes the pattern and fills in the dates automatically.

This works for any regular interval: daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly. If you enter March 1 and March 8, then drag down, Excel adds dates one week apart. If you enter January 1 and February 1, it adds dates one month apart.

If you only have one date and want to fill down a sequence, select that cell plus the empty cells below it, then go to the Sheet menu (or Edit menu on Mac), choose Fill, and select Series. Tell Excel whether you want daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly intervals, and how many cells to fill.

Combining dates with other information in a cell

Use the CONCATENATE function or the ampersand (&) symbol to join a date with text. Type =CONCATENATE("Report for ",TODAY()) or ="Report for "&TODAY(). The cell displays something like "Report for 3/15/2024".

If the date portion looks wrong — showing as a number like 45375 instead of a date — you need to format just that part. Use the TEXT function instead: =CONCATENATE("Report for ",TEXT(TODAY(),"MM/DD/YYYY")). The TEXT function converts the date to text in the exact format you specify inside the quotes.

This approach works when you need a label, a header, or a filename that includes the current date. You can copy the cell and paste it as text elsewhere, and the date stays in the format you created.

Calculating the number of days between two dates

Subtract one date from another. If cell A1 contains 3/1/2024 and cell B1 contains 3/15/2024, type =B1-A1 in another cell. Excel shows 14, meaning 14 days apart. This works because Excel stores dates as numbers counting from a starting point.

To find how many days from today until a future date, type =DATE(2024,12,25)-TODAY(). The result is the number of days remaining. If the result is negative, the date is in the past.

For more complex calculations — finding the number of months or years between dates — use the DATEDIF function: =DATEDIF(A1,B1,"D") for days, "M" for months, or "Y" for years. This function is more precise than subtraction when you need months or years, because it accounts for varying month lengths.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my date show as a number like 45375?

Excel is displaying the date's internal number value instead of formatting it as a date. Right-click the cell, choose Format Cells, select Date from the Category list, pick a format, and click OK. The cell will display the date correctly while keeping the same underlying value.

Can I insert a date that does not change?

Yes. Use Ctrl+; (Windows) or Cmd+; (Mac) to insert today's date as a fixed value. You can also type a date directly into a cell, or use the DATE function with specific numbers. None of these update automatically — they stay the same unless you edit them.

How do I add a date that updates every time I open the file?

Type =TODAY() into a cell and press Enter. This formula shows the current date and updates automatically whenever you open the file or recalculate the worksheet. If you need today's date plus or minus some days, use =TODAY()+30 or =TODAY()-7.

What is the difference between TODAY() and NOW()?

TODAY() shows only the date. NOW() shows the date and time together. Both update when you open the file, but neither updates continuously while the file is open. Use TODAY() for dates alone and NOW() when you need a timestamp.

Can I sort or filter by date after I insert it?

Yes, as long as Excel recognizes the entry as a date, not text. Dates you type directly, dates from TODAY(), and dates from the DATE function all sort and filter correctly. If a date shows as text (with a green triangle in the corner), format it as a date first, then re-enter it or recalculate the sheet.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.