The fastest way to add today's date

Type =TODAY() into any cell and press Enter. Google Sheets fills that cell with today's date automatically. The next time you open the sheet, it updates to the current date — so this formula always shows "today", not the day you typed it.

If you want a date that stays fixed — one that does not change when you reopen the sheet — type the date directly: 1/15/2025 or January 15, 2025, depending on your region. Google Sheets recognizes both formats and converts them to its standard date display.

You can also use =NOW() if you need the time as well as the date. This shows both, updating every time the sheet recalculates.

Key Takeaways

  • Use =TODAY() to insert a date that updates automatically each time you open the sheet.
  • Type a date directly (like 1/15/2025) to create a fixed date that never changes.
  • Change how a date looks by selecting the cells and using Format > Number > Date to pick from preset styles or create your own.
  • Use =DATE(year, month, day) to build a date from separate numbers in other cells, useful when your data comes from different columns.

Inserting dates from other cells or calculations

If your data lives in separate columns — year in one, month in another, day in a third — use the =DATE() function to combine them. Type =DATE(A1, B1, C1) where A1 holds the year, B1 holds the month, and C1 holds the day. Google Sheets assembles them into a single date.

You can also do math with dates. To add 30 days to a date in cell A1, type =A1+30. To find the number of days between two dates, type =A2-A1 (where A2 is the later date). Google Sheets treats dates as numbers behind the scenes, so addition and subtraction work directly.

Changing how dates look on the page

Google Sheets has preset date formats, but they may not match what you need. Select the cells holding your dates, then click Format in the top menu, choose Number, and select Date from the list on the left. You will see options like "1/15/2025", "January 15, 2025", "15-Jan-25", and others.

If none of those match what you want, stay in that same Format > Number menu and look for Custom number format at the bottom of the list. A box opens where you can type a pattern: MMMM D, YYYY gives you "January 15, 2025"; MMM DD, YYYY gives you "Jan 15, 2025"; YYYY-MM-DD gives you "2025-01-15". The letters control what shows and in what order.

The format you choose changes only how the date appears on screen. The actual data underneath stays the same, so you can change the look later without losing anything.

Sorting and filtering by date

Once your dates are in place, you can sort by them like any other data. Click any cell in the column with dates, then go to Data in the top menu and choose Sort range. Google Sheets sorts from oldest to newest (or newest to oldest if you choose). This works whether your dates came from =TODAY(), a formula, or direct typing.

You can also filter by date. Select your data range, click Data, then Create a filter. A small funnel icon appears at the top of each column. Click the funnel in your date column to show only dates within a certain range, or only dates after a specific day.

Common date problems and how to fix them

If you type a date and Google Sheets shows it as a number (like 45,000 instead of a date), the cell format is wrong. Select the cell, go to Format > Number > Date, and pick a date format. The number converts to a readable date.

If =TODAY() or =NOW() is not updating when you expect, remember that these formulas update only when the sheet recalculates — usually when you open it, edit it, or press Ctrl+Shift+F9 (Windows) or Command+Shift+F9 (Mac) to force a recalculation. They do not update in real time while you are looking at the sheet.

If you are combining dates from different regions (some using MM/DD/YYYY, others using DD/MM/YYYY), Google Sheets may misread them. Use the =DATE() function instead, which takes year, month, and day as separate numbers and removes the guesswork.

When to use dates versus text that looks like a date

If you type "January 15" as plain text, Google Sheets treats it as words, not a date. You cannot sort it chronologically, filter by date range, or do math with it. Use =TODAY(), =DATE(), or direct date entry (1/15/2025) so Google Sheets recognizes it as a date and lets you work with it.

The only time text that looks like a date makes sense is when you are writing a label or description that happens to mention a date — like a note saying "Follow up on January 15". For actual date data that you need to sort, filter, or calculate with, always use a real date format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make =TODAY() show a specific date instead of updating?

No, =TODAY() always updates. If you want a fixed date, delete the formula and type the date directly (1/15/2025). If you have already used =TODAY() and want to lock it, select the cell, copy it, then use Paste Special (Ctrl+Shift+V on Windows, Command+Shift+V on Mac) and choose "Values only" to replace the formula with the date it currently shows.

How do I add a date picker so people can click to choose a date?

Go to Data > Data validation, select the cells where you want the picker, choose Date from the dropdown, and set any constraints (like "between January 1 and December 31"). A calendar icon appears in those cells, and anyone can click it to pick a date instead of typing.

What if my dates are in a different language or calendar system?

Google Sheets recognizes dates in many languages and formats. If it is not reading your dates correctly, use =DATE(year, month, day) with numbers instead, which works the same way regardless of language. For non-Gregorian calendars, you may need to convert manually or use a formula that does the conversion.

Can I show just the month and year, without the day?

Yes. Select the cells, go to Format > Number > Custom number format, and type MMMM YYYY (for "January 2025") or MMM YY (for "Jan 25"). Google Sheets still stores the full date underneath; you are only changing what appears on screen.