Entering data and filling shortcuts
Shortcut to insert today's date and the current time in Excel
The keys
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Enter today's dateA fixed date that will not change tomorrow. Use =TODAY() for one that updates. | Ctrl+; | Control+; |
| Enter the current timeAlso fixed. For a date and time in one cell, press the date shortcut, a space, then this one. | Ctrl+Shift+; | Command+; |
Checked against Microsoft's official lists on . Where Microsoft lists a key for one platform only, the other column says so instead of guessing.
Fixed date vs a date that updates
The shortcut types the date as a value, like typing it yourself. Tomorrow it still shows today. That is what you want for an order date, a log entry or the day a task was done.
For a date that is always today, such as an "as of" cell or a days-overdue calculation, use the TODAY function instead. It recalculates every time the workbook opens.
Date and time in one cell
Press Ctrl+;, then Space, then Ctrl+Shift+; (on a Mac, Ctrl+;, Space, Command+;). Excel stores it as one date-time number, so you can subtract two of them to get the time between.
Fill a date into many cells
Select the cells, press Ctrl+;, then Ctrl+Enter: the same date goes into every selected cell.
When it does not work
- A number like 46331 appears: the cell has a General or Number format. Format it as a date with Ctrl+Shift+#.
- The date shows in the wrong order (day and month swapped): the format follows your system's regional settings. Change the cell format, or the date order in your Windows or macOS region settings.
- Nothing happens on a non-US keyboard: the semicolon key is elsewhere or needs another modifier. Type
=TODAY()and paste it as a value instead. - Only the time shows: the cell has a time format. Change it to a date format.
Why a shortcut sometimes does nothing
Non-US keyboards
Microsoft's lists are written for the US keyboard layout and say that keys on other layouts might not correspond exactly. Shortcuts named after a symbol, such as Ctrl+;, Ctrl+` or Ctrl+Shift+$, are the ones most likely to sit somewhere else or not work. When one does nothing, use the ribbon route on its task page instead.
Related shortcuts
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Put the same entry in every selected cell How to: Fill down shortcut in Excel Select the cells, type once, then press it. A formula goes in with its references adjusted for each cell. | Ctrl+Enter | Command+Return or Control+Return |
| Date format with day, month and year How to: Number format shortcuts in Excel: currency, percent, date and more | Ctrl+Shift+#Web Ctrl+Shift+3 | Control+Shift+# |
| Time format with hour, minute and AM/PM How to: Number format shortcuts in Excel: currency, percent, date and more | Ctrl+Shift+@Web Ctrl+Shift+2 | Control+Shift+@ |
FAQ
What is the shortcut for today's date in Excel?
Ctrl+; (Ctrl and the semicolon key). It is the same on Windows, Mac and Excel for the web.
What is the shortcut for the current time?
Ctrl+Shift+; on Windows and the web, Cmd+; on a Mac.
Will the date update tomorrow?
No. The shortcut types a fixed date. Use =TODAY() for one that updates.
How do I get the seconds too?
The time shortcut uses the time format without seconds. Format the cell with a custom format such as h:mm:ss to see them.
Related guides
- How to add days to a date in ExcelAdd the number straight to the date: =A2+30 gives the date 30 days later.
- How to remove the time from a date in ExcelUse =INT(B2) to keep only the date part of a date-time, then format the cell as a date (Home > Number Format > Short Date).
- How to calculate elapsed time in ExcelSubtract the start from the end: =C2-B2 gives the elapsed time in days, so multiply by 24 for hours or 1440 for minutes, or format the cell as [h]:mm.
Related functions
In the glossary: Date serial numberVolatile function
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