Function guides · Date
TODAY function
Returns the current date, updated every time the workbook recalculates.
Syntax
=TODAY()
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
(none) | TODAY takes no arguments, but the parentheses are required. |
What TODAY does
TODAY returns the current date from your computer’s clock. There is nothing to put in the parentheses.
The value is not stored. Each time the workbook recalculates, which includes every time it is opened, TODAY looks at the clock again. A report built on it is always current and never reproducible, so records of what happened on a particular day should hold typed dates instead. Because dates are numbers, TODAY works in arithmetic. Subtracting gives a count of days.
TODAY examples
1. Days until a deadline
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Task | Due | |
| 2 | Tax filing | 11/30/2026 | 22 |
Subtract today's date from a future date and Excel returns the number of days between them. The answer is a plain number, though Excel may format the cell as a date, in which case switch it to General.
The grid is shown as if today were November 8, 2026. Open the same file tomorrow and the same formula says 21.
2. Flag overdue items
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Invoice | Due | |
| 2 | INV-2207 | 10/15/2026 | Overdue |
Comparing a due date with TODAY gives a live status. The invoice was due October 15, so on November 8 it is overdue. The flag changes by itself as the calendar moves.
3. Age in whole years
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name | Birthday | |
| 2 | Kai | 3/14/1990 | 36 |
Dividing days by 365 is close but drifts around leap years. DATEDIF with "y" counts completed years and is the safer choice. Someone born March 14, 1990 is 36 on November 8, 2026.
Common TODAY mistakes
- Using TODAY for a date that should stay fixed. A date of sale, a hire date, a timestamp: none of these should be a TODAY formula, since they change daily. Press Ctrl+; to type today's date as a fixed value.
- Leaving off the parentheses.
=TODAYreturns #NAME?. The parentheses are required, even though nothing goes inside. - Surprise at the number in the cell. Subtracting two dates sometimes shows as a date like 1/22/1900. Change the cell format to General or Number.
- Expecting a time. TODAY returns the date only. Use NOW for date and time.
TODAY on Excel job tests
Never type a date where the task says "today" or "the current date". Write the formula. Typical jobs are days until a due date, flagging overdue rows, age or tenure, and showing records from the last 30 days with a comparison to TODAY()-30.
Someone who opens the file on another day will see different numbers, which is correct behavior. If the task wants a date that stays fixed, such as the date an order was entered, type it with Ctrl+; instead.
Days between two dates should show as a number. If the cell displays a date, change its format to General. For tenure in years and months, DATEDIF is more reliable than dividing by 365.
Related functions
TODAY questions
- What is the difference between TODAY and NOW?
- TODAY returns the date. NOW returns the date and the current time. Both update whenever the workbook recalculates.
- How do I enter today's date so it does not change?
- Press Ctrl+; (semicolon). Excel enters today's date as a fixed value.
- How do I calculate days between today and a date?
- Subtract:
=B2-TODAY()for days until,=TODAY()-B2for days since. Format the cell as General. - Why does my TODAY formula show a different date later?
- It is volatile and recalculates each time the workbook opens. That is its purpose.
Practice TODAY
Try it in a working grid: the free lesson TODAY and NOW: dates that update themselves (module 10 of Everyday Excel) has checked TODAY exercises.
Practice this function