The quickest way to add today's date

The fastest way to put today's date into an Excel cell is to type =TODAY() and press Enter. Excel will fill that cell with today's date in the format your computer uses — usually MM/DD/YYYY in the United States. If you type the formula into cell A1, that cell will always show the current date, even if you open the spreadsheet tomorrow.

If you want to type a specific date instead — one that is not today — just click the cell and type the date the way you normally write it: 3/15/2024 or March 15, 2024. Excel recognizes both formats and converts them to its standard date format automatically.

The difference between these two methods matters: =TODAY() updates itself every time you open the file, while a date you type stays the same forever. Use =TODAY() when you want the spreadsheet to always show the current date. Use typed dates when you are recording when something actually happened.

Key Takeaways

  • Type =TODAY() into any cell and press Enter to insert today's date, which updates automatically each time you open the file.
  • Type a date directly (3/15/2024 or March 15, 2024) to record a specific date that will not change.
  • Excel recognizes dates written in multiple formats and converts them to match your computer's regional settings.
  • If a date appears as a number like 45000 instead of a readable date, right-click the cell, choose Format Cells, and select Date from the Category list.
  • Use =NOW() instead of =TODAY() when you need to record both the date and the exact time something happened.

Formatting a date so it looks the way you want

Once you have entered a date, you can change how it displays without changing the date itself. Right-click the cell containing the date and select Format Cells from the menu that appears. A dialog box will open with a Category list on the left side.

Click Date in that list, and you will see format options on the right. Choose the format that matches what you need — for example, "3/15/24" or "March 15, 2024" or "15-Mar-2024". The date itself does not change; only how it appears on screen changes. This is useful when you want all the dates in a column to look identical, or when you need a format that matches a report you are sending to someone else.

Adding a date that includes the time

If you need to record not just the date but also the time something happened, use =NOW() instead of =TODAY(). This formula enters both the current date and the current time down to the minute. Like =TODAY(), it updates every time you open the file.

When you use =NOW(), Excel displays it as a date and time together — for example, "3/15/2024 2:30 PM". If you want to change how it looks, right-click the cell, select Format Cells, and choose Date or Time from the Category list to see your options. You can also choose a format that shows both date and time together.

Fixing dates that show as numbers

Sometimes when you paste a date from another source or import data, Excel displays it as a long number like 45000 instead of a readable date. This happens because the cell is formatted as a number rather than as a date, even though the data inside is a date.

To fix this, right-click the cell with the number and select Format Cells. In the dialog that opens, click Date in the Category list on the left. The number will when ready convert to a readable date format. If you have many cells with this problem, select all of them at once (click the first one, hold Shift, and click the last one) and format them all together.

Entering dates in a column so they fill down automatically

If you need to create a list of dates — for example, every day for a month — you can type the first two dates and let Excel continue the pattern for you. Type the first date in one cell (like 3/1/2024 in A1) and the second date in the cell below it (3/2/2024 in A2).

Now select both cells by clicking A1 and dragging down to A2. Look for the small square at the bottom right corner of the selection — this is called the fill handle. Click and drag that square downward as far as you want the dates to continue. Excel will automatically fill in each date in sequence. This saves time when you are building a calendar or a timeline in your spreadsheet.

Using dates in calculations

One of the reasons dates are useful in spreadsheets is that you can do math with them. For example, you can subtract one date from another to find out how many days passed between them. Type =A2-A1 in a cell below two dates, and Excel will show you the number of days between those dates.

You can also add days to a date. If cell A1 contains 3/15/2024 and you want to know what date it will be 30 days later, type =A1+30 in another cell. Excel will show you 4/14/2024. This is helpful when you are tracking important date, project timelines, or payment schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my date show as a number instead of a date?

The cell is formatted as a number instead of a date. Right-click the cell, select Format Cells, click Date in the Category list, and choose a date format. The number will convert to a readable date when ready.

Will =TODAY() change the date every time I open the file?

Yes. =TODAY() updates to the current date each time you open the spreadsheet. If you want a date that never changes, type the date directly instead of using a formula.

Can I sort or filter dates in a spreadsheet?

Yes, as long as they are entered as actual dates (using =TODAY(), =NOW(), or typed in a recognized date format) rather than as text. Click any cell in the column with dates, then use the Data menu to sort or filter. Excel will recognize them as dates and sort them in chronological order.

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

=TODAY() shows only the current date. =NOW() shows the current date and time. Use =NOW() when you need to record when something happened at a specific moment, and =TODAY() when you only need the date.

Can I change the date format for an entire column at once?

Yes. Click the column header to select the entire column, right-click, select Format Cells, choose Date from the Category list, and pick your format. Every date in that column will display in the format you chose.