Excel NOW Function
The NOW function in Microsoft Excel returns the current date and time based on the system clock. It is useful for timestamping data or calculating time-sensitive metrics.
Key Topics
Overview of NOW Function
The NOW function provides the current date and time, updating automatically when the workbook is opened or recalculated. It is ideal for logging events, tracking real-time progress, or dynamic time calculations.
NOW Function Syntax
The syntax for the NOW function is as follows:
Syntax: =NOW()
Parameters:
- None: The function takes no arguments.
Implementation Examples
Below are examples of how to use the NOW function in different scenarios.
Example 1: =NOW() — Returns the current date and time.
Example 2: =NOW()+1 — Returns the date and time one day from now.
Example 3: =NOW()-B2 — Calculates the time difference between the timestamp in B2 and now.
Sample Dataset (Excel-style View)
Below is a demo dataset styled like Excel, showing how the NOW function can be used to calculate hours since an event was logged.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Event | Logged Time | Hours Since |
| 2 | Login | 06/03/2025 10:00 | =(NOW()-B2)*24 |
| 3 | Order | 06/03/2025 12:30 | =(NOW()-B3)*24 |
| 4 | Payment | 06/03/2025 14:00 | =(NOW()-B4)*24 |
| 5 | Shipment | 06/03/2025 15:30 | =(NOW()-B5)*24 |
| 6 | Delivery | 06/03/2025 16:00 | =(NOW()-B6)*24 |
Note: In the dataset, column C uses =(NOW()-B2)*24 to calculate the hours between the logged time in B2 and the current time. Multiplying by 24 converts the day-based difference to hours. The formula is applied to each row.
Key Takeaways
- The NOW function returns the current date and time with no arguments.
- It updates automatically when the workbook is opened or recalculated.
- It can be used for timestamping or calculating time differences.
- Common uses include logging events or tracking real-time metrics.
- The sample dataset demonstrates NOW applied to calculate hours since events.