Excel TODAY Function
The TODAY function in Microsoft Excel returns the current date based on the system clock. It is useful for dynamic date calculations, such as tracking deadlines or aging reports.
Key Topics
- Overview of TODAY Function
- TODAY Function Syntax
- Implementation Examples
- Sample Dataset
- Key Takeaways
Overview of TODAY Function
The TODAY function provides the current date without time components, updating automatically when the workbook is opened or recalculated. It is ideal for creating dynamic reports or calculating time differences.
TODAY Function Syntax
The syntax for the TODAY function is as follows:
Syntax: =TODAY()
Parameters:
- None: The function takes no arguments.
Implementation Examples
Below are examples of how to use the TODAY function in different scenarios.
Example 1: =TODAY() — Returns the current date.
Example 2: =TODAY()+7 — Returns the date one week from today.
Example 3: =TODAY()-B2 — Calculates the number of days between the date in B2 and today.
Sample Dataset (Excel-style View)
Below is a demo dataset styled like Excel, showing how the TODAY function can be used to calculate days since a project started.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project | Start Date | Days Running |
| 2 | Alpha | 01/01/2025 | =TODAY()-B2 |
| 3 | Beta | 02/15/2025 | =TODAY()-B3 |
| 4 | Gamma | 03/01/2025 | =TODAY()-B4 |
| 5 | Delta | 04/10/2025 | =TODAY()-B5 |
| 6 | Epsilon | 05/01/2025 | =TODAY()-B6 |
Note: In the dataset, column C uses =TODAY()-B2 to calculate the number of days between the start date in B2 and the current date. The formula is applied to each row to show the duration of each project.
Key Takeaways
- The TODAY function returns the current date with no arguments.
- It updates automatically when the workbook is opened or recalculated.
- It can be used to calculate time differences or set dynamic deadlines.
- Common uses include tracking project durations or aging reports.
- The sample dataset demonstrates TODAY applied to calculate days since project start.