TODAY Function in Excel: Always-Current Dates
By ExcelReady TeamUpdated 5 min read
The short answer
The TODAY function in Excel returns the current date. Type =TODAY() with empty brackets and no arguments. It updates every time the workbook recalculates, so formulas like =C2-TODAY() always show the days left until a date. For a date that never changes, press Ctrl+; on Windows or Control+; on Mac to type today's date as a fixed value.
Key takeaways
- =TODAY() takes no arguments but still needs the empty brackets.
- TODAY updates whenever Excel recalculates, including when you open the file.
- =C2-TODAY() gives days left; =TODAY()-B2 gives days since.
- Press Ctrl+; (Mac: Control+;) to enter today's date as a fixed value that never changes.
- Use NOW() instead when you also need the current time.
On this page+
The TODAY function in Excel returns the current date and keeps it current: open the file tomorrow and it shows tomorrow's date. That makes =TODAY() the base of every countdown, age calculation and overdue flag. This guide shows how it works, the formulas you'll use it in most, and how to enter a date that doesn't change when you need one.
What does the TODAY function do?#
TODAY returns the current date as a real Excel date. The syntax is the shortest in Excel:
=TODAY()There are no arguments, but the empty brackets are required. Without them, Excel shows #NAME?.
Like every Excel date, the result is a serial number that counts days from 1 January 1900, displayed with a date format. On 1 November 2026, TODAY returns 46327, shown as 01/11/2026 or 11/1/2026 depending on your settings. Because it's a number, you can add to it, subtract from it and compare it with other dates. TODAY works in every version of Excel, on Windows and Mac. The TODAY function guide is a quick reference.
When does TODAY update?#
TODAY updates whenever the workbook recalculates. That happens when you open the file, when you edit any cell, and when you press F9. Functions that recalculate on every change like this are called volatile.
Two things can make TODAY look stuck:
- Manual calculation. If Formulas > Calculation Options is set to Manual, TODAY only updates when you press F9. Set it back to Automatic.
- A file left open overnight. TODAY doesn't tick over at midnight on its own. It updates at the next recalculation, so edit a cell or press F9.
Because TODAY changes, Excel may ask you to save a file you only opened and looked at. That's normal: the date changed, so the file changed.
Common formulas that use TODAY#
Most uses of TODAY are simple subtraction or comparison. Here are the ones you'll use most, with results for 1 November 2026:
| Goal | Formula | Example result |
|---|---|---|
| Days until a date in C2 (15 Nov 2026) | =C2-TODAY() | 14 |
| Days since a date in B2 (20 Sep 2026) | =TODAY()-B2 | 42 |
| Whole years since a date in B2 | =DATEDIF(B2,TODAY(),"y") | Age or tenure in years |
| Is C2 overdue? | =IF(C2<TODAY(),"Overdue","Open") | Open |
| Same date next month | =EDATE(TODAY(),1) | 01/12/2026 |
| Last day of this month | =EOMONTH(TODAY(),0) | 30/11/2026 |
When you subtract two dates, the result is a number of days. If the result cell shows a date instead, change its format to General.
These patterns are the core of most trackers. A job application tracker uses =TODAY()-B2 to show how long you've waited for a reply. An expiry date tracker uses =C2-TODAY() to warn you before documents expire.
How to use TODAY in conditional formatting#
TODAY also works inside conditional formatting rules, so colours can update every day without anyone touching the sheet. To colour overdue due dates red:
- Select the due dates, for example C2:C20.
- Go to Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule.
- Choose Use a formula to determine which cells to format.
- Enter
=C2<TODAY(), pick a red fill and click OK.
Write the formula for the first cell in the range, without dollar signs on the row, and Excel adjusts it for every other cell. Tomorrow, any date that has just passed turns red by itself.
How to enter today's date so it doesn't change#
Use a keyboard shortcut when you need a fixed date, such as the date you received an invoice or logged a call. TODAY is wrong for this, because next week it will show next week's date.
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Insert today's date | Ctrl+; | Control+; |
| Insert the current time | Ctrl+Shift+; | ⌘+; |
The shortcut types the date as a plain value, as if you had typed it yourself. It never updates. The guide to inserting the current date with a shortcut covers more options.
To freeze a TODAY formula you already have, copy the cell and paste it as values (Windows: Ctrl+Alt+V, then V; Mac: ⌘+Control+V, then choose Values). The formula is replaced with the date it showed at that moment.
TODAY vs NOW#
TODAY returns only the date, while NOW returns the date and the current time. Use TODAY for anything measured in days: deadlines, ages, overdue flags. Use NOW when the time matters, such as a timestamp for a shift that started two hours ago.
Mixing them causes subtle errors. =C2-NOW() returns a decimal like 13.6, because NOW includes part of today. A comparison like =IF(C2=NOW(),...) almost never matches, because the time is never exactly midnight. The comparison of TODAY and NOW explains the differences in detail.
Common mistakes with TODAY#
Most TODAY problems come from formats or from using it where a fixed date belongs. Check these:
- Forgetting the brackets.
=TODAYgives #NAME?. Always type=TODAY(). - Using TODAY for record dates. A "date received" column with TODAY changes every day. Use Ctrl+; instead.
- Wrong result format.
=C2-TODAY()showing a date means the cell has a date format. Format it as General. - Typing "today" in criteria.
=COUNTIF(C2:C20,"<TODAY()")doesn't work, because inside quotes TODAY() is plain text. Join it instead:=COUNTIF(C2:C20,"<"&TODAY()). - Wrong computer clock. TODAY reads your system date. If the clock is wrong, so is TODAY.
In finance roles, TODAY is part of daily work: ageing invoices, flagging late payments and planning payment runs. The guide to Excel skills for accounts payable shows where it fits.
Practise it#
TODAY is simple to type but easy to misuse in a job test, especially in criteria and with formats. Practise date basics in a live spreadsheet, then practise counting days between dates with real deadlines. Each formula is checked instantly. Or try the exercise on this page first.
Try it yourself
This is a live spreadsheet. Type the formula in the green cell and press Enter.
In a real tracker you would use TODAY(). Here, F2 holds a fixed report date so the answer doesn't change. Click D2 and work out the days left until the due date in C2 by subtracting the report date, locked as $F$2.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Days left | Report date | |||||
| 2 | |||||||
| 3 | |||||||
| 4 | |||||||
| 5 | |||||||
| 6 | |||||||
| 7 |
Tip: Later date minus earlier date: the due date in C2 minus the report date in F2.
Practise this in a lesson
Frequently asked questions
How do I use the TODAY function in Excel?
Type =TODAY() in a cell and press Enter. It shows the current date. Use it inside other formulas, such as =C2-TODAY() for the days until the date in C2.
How do I stop TODAY from changing?
You can't stop the formula updating, but you can replace it with a fixed date. Press Ctrl+; on Windows or Control+; on Mac to type today's date, or copy the TODAY cell and paste it as values.
Why is TODAY showing the wrong date?
Either the workbook hasn't recalculated, often because calculation is set to Manual, or your computer's clock is wrong. Press F9 to recalculate, and check Formulas > Calculation Options is set to Automatic.
What is the difference between TODAY and NOW in Excel?
TODAY returns only the date. NOW returns the date and the current time. Both update whenever the workbook recalculates.
Why does TODAY()-B2 show a date instead of a number?
Excel copied a date format into the result cell. Change the cell format to General or Number to see the number of days.