If you manage a daily invoice template or a timesheet in Microsoft Excel, you likely type the current date at the top of the spreadsheet every single morning. Instead of manually updating this cell every time you open the file, you can use the TODAY() function to force Excel to look at your computer’s system clock and generate the correct date automatically.
How to Use the TODAY Function
Unlike most Excel formulas that require you to reference other cells or input specific numbers, the TODAY() function is entirely self-contained. It requires zero arguments.
- Open your Excel spreadsheet.
- Click on the exact cell where you want the current date to appear (for example, cell A1).
- Type the following exact text:
=TODAY() - Press the Enter key.
The cell will instantly populate with today’s date (e.g., “8/19/2026”). Because it is a dynamic formula, if you save the document, close it, and open it tomorrow, the cell will automatically update itself to read “8/20/2026” without any manual input.
How to Change the Date Format
By default, Excel will format the date using your regional system settings (usually MM/DD/YYYY in the United States). If you prefer a different visual format, such as writing out the full month, you can easily change it without breaking the formula.
- Right-click on the cell containing your
=TODAY()formula. - Select Format Cells… from the dropdown menu.
- In the dialogue box, ensure you are on the Number tab.
- Select Date from the “Category” list on the left.
- On the right side, you will see a list of different formats. You can choose options like “14-Mar-12” or “Wednesday, March 14, 2012.”
- Click OK.
The formula will continue to run silently in the background, but the visual output will now match your preferred professional formatting.