Dates function
Excel TODAY function
TODAY returns the current date, and it updates every time the workbook recalculates. Use it to count days until a deadline, flag overdue invoices, or stamp a report with today's date.
=TODAY()TODAY examples
Every result below was calculated from this sample sheet by the same spreadsheet engine the Cellwise app uses.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Invoice | Client | Amount | Due |
| 2 | INV-2041 | Brightline | 1250 | 2026-12-24 |
| 3 | INV-2042 | Oakhurst | 480 | 2026-10-01 |
| 4 | INV-2043 | Mapleton | 2900 | 2026-11-15 |
Result: today’s date-based value (it changes every day)
Shows today's date. It changes each day you open the file.
Result: today’s date-based value (it changes every day)
Days left until INV-2041 is due.
Result: today’s date-based value (it changes every day)
Flags an invoice whose due date has already passed.
Result: today’s date-based value (it changes every day)
A due date 30 days from today, for net-30 terms.
How to use TODAY
- Click an empty cell.
- Type
=TODAY()with nothing between the brackets. - Press Enter.
- Subtract a date from it, or compare it to a date, to measure time.
Common TODAY mistakes
Expecting the date to stay fixed
TODAY recalculates every day. For a date that never changes, press Ctrl+; to type today's date as a value.
Putting something inside the brackets
TODAY takes no arguments. Type the empty brackets exactly: =TODAY().
Days-left result shows as a date
D2-TODAY() is a number of days. Format the cell as General or Number.
TODAY FAQ
How do I insert today's date in Excel that does not change?
Press Ctrl+; (semicolon) in a cell. It types today's date as a fixed value instead of a formula.
How do I calculate days until a due date in Excel?
Subtract today from the due date: =D2-TODAY(). A negative number means the date has already passed.
What is the difference between TODAY and NOW in Excel?
TODAY returns only the date. NOW returns the date and the current time, so it changes every time Excel recalculates.
Guides that use TODAY
- How to calculate age in Excel from date of birth
- How to calculate days between two dates in Excel
- How to count working days between two dates in Excel
- How to use COUNTIF greater than in Excel
- How to calculate months between two dates in Excel
- Excel formulas cheat sheet: the 25 everyone should know
Related functions
DAYSDays between datesDATEDIFWhole years, months or days betweenNETWORKDAYSWeekdays between datesIFPicks a result from a test
Updated