TODAY function: Description, Usage, Syntax, Examples and Explanation

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What is TODAY function in Excel?

TODAY function is one of  Date and Time functions in Microsoft Excel that returns the serial number of the current date. The serial number is the date-time code used by Excel for date and time calculations. If the cell format was General before the function was entered, Excel changes the cell format to Date. If you want to view the serial number, you must change the cell format to General or Number.

The TODAY function is useful when you need to have the current date displayed on a worksheet, regardless of when you open the workbook. It is also useful for calculating intervals. For example, if you know that someone was born in 1963, you might use the following formula to find that person’s age as of this year’s birthday:= YEAR( TODAY())-1963

Worked Example:   Excel Data validation date in specific year

This formula uses the TODAY function as an argument for the YEAR function to obtain the current year, and then subtracts 1963, returning the person’s age.

Note: If the TODAY function does not update the date when you expect it to, you might need to change the settings that control when the workbook or worksheet recalculates. On the File tab, click Options, and then in the Formulas category under Calculation options, make sure that Automatic is selected.

Syntax of TODAY function

TODAY()

The TODAY function syntax has no arguments.

Worked Example:   Display the current date and time in Excel

Note: Excel stores dates as sequential serial numbers so they can be used in calculations. By default, January 1, 1900 is serial number 1, and January 1, 2008 is serial number 39448 because it is 39,447 days after January 1, 1900.

Example of TODAY function

Steps to follow:

1. Open a new Excel worksheet.

2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1

Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.

You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.

Worked Example:   Get days before a date in Excel
Formula Description Result
=TODAY() Returns the current date. 12/1/2011
=TODAY()+5 Returns the current date plus 5 days. For example, if the current date is 1/1/2012, this formula returns 1/6/2012. 12/6/2011
=DATEVALUE(“1/1/2030”)-TODAY() Returns the number of days between the current date and 1/1/2030. Note that cell A4 must be formatted as General or Number for the result to display correctly. 1/31/1918
=DAY(TODAY()) Returns the current day of the month (1 – 31). 1
=MONTH(TODAY()) Returns the current month of the year (1 – 12). For example, if the current month is May, this formula returns 5. 12

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