Table of Contents
The NOW function in Excel is a useful tool for displaying the current date and time in a cell. It automatically updates every time the spreadsheet is opened or recalculated, providing an accurate representation of the current date and time. This can be useful for tracking the progress of tasks or projects, as well as for creating timestamped records. To use the NOW function, simply enter “=NOW()” into the desired cell and press enter. The current date and time will then be displayed in the cell in the format specified by your computer’s regional settings.
This article describes the formula syntax and usage of the NOW function in Microsoft Excel. Find links to more information about working with dates and times in the See Also section.
Description
Returns the serial number of the current date and time. If the cell format was General before the function was entered, Excel changes the cell format so that it matches the date and time format of your regional settings. You can change the date and time format for the cell by using the commands in the Number group of the Home tab on the Ribbon.
The NOW function is useful when you need to display the current date and time on a worksheet or calculate a value based on the current date and time, and have that value updated each time you open the worksheet.
Note: If the NOW function does not update cell values when you expect it to, you might need to change settings that control when the workbook or worksheet recalculates. These settings can be changed in Control Panel for the Excel desktop application.
Syntax
NOW()
The NOW function syntax has no arguments.
Remarks
Excel stores dates as sequential serial numbers so that 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.
Numbers to the right of the decimal point in the serial number represent the time; numbers to the left represent the date. For example, the serial number 0.5 represents the time 12:00 noon.
The results of the NOW function change only when the worksheet is calculated or when a macro that contains the function is run. It is not updated continuously.
Cite this article
stats writer (2024). How can I use the NOW function in Excel to display the current date and time?. PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Retrieved from https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/how-can-i-use-the-now-function-in-excel-to-display-the-current-date-and-time/
stats writer. "How can I use the NOW function in Excel to display the current date and time?." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 30 Jun. 2024, https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/how-can-i-use-the-now-function-in-excel-to-display-the-current-date-and-time/.
stats writer. "How can I use the NOW function in Excel to display the current date and time?." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 2024. https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/how-can-i-use-the-now-function-in-excel-to-display-the-current-date-and-time/.
stats writer (2024) 'How can I use the NOW function in Excel to display the current date and time?', PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Available at: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/how-can-i-use-the-now-function-in-excel-to-display-the-current-date-and-time/.
[1] stats writer, "How can I use the NOW function in Excel to display the current date and time?," PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, vol. X, no. Y, ص Z-Z, June, 2024.
stats writer. How can I use the NOW function in Excel to display the current date and time?. PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. 2024;vol(issue):pages.