TODAY function
TODAY returns the current date, with no time attached, and updates every time the workbook recalculates. Use it for anything relative to now: days until a deadline, days overdue, or ages that stay current without editing. It takes no arguments, but the parentheses are required.
- Available in
- Every current version
- Category
- Date functions
- Returns
- Today's date as a serial number, which changes each day.
- Google Sheets
- Works the same in Google Sheets.
Syntax
=TODAY()
| Argument | Required? | What it is |
|---|
Examples
Each result below is calculated from the sample sheet by our formula engine, the same one that grades the practice.
| Cell | Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2 | =TODAY() | Oct 29, 2026 | Today's date; it changes every day |
| D3 | =B2-TODAY() | 364 | Days left until the domain renewal, counted from today |
| D4 | =IF(B3<TODAY(),"Overdue","On time") | Overdue | Flags the report if its due date has passed |
Try it live
This is the sample sheet. Change any number or text, or edit a formula, and the results update.
Show the sample data as a table
| Task | Due date | Result | |
| Renew domain | 10/28/2027 | Oct 29, 2026 | |
| File report | 1/15/2026 | 364 | |
| Overdue |
Practice TODAY
Graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data.
Days until due
C2, calculate how many days are left until each due date, counting from today. Fill down to C6.Common mistakes
| What you see | Why, and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| Days-until results show as dates | Subtracting dates can pick up a date format, so 45 shows as 2/14/1900. Format the result cell as Number or General. |
| A typed date that never updates | Pressing Ctrl+; enters today's date as a fixed value. Use =TODAY() when the date should move each day. |
| Results change between opening the file | That is TODAY working as designed. If you need a fixed "as of" date for a report, type the date in a cell and reference that instead. |
Tips
- Use =NOW() when you also need the current time; TODAY returns the date only.
Questions
How do I calculate days until a date in Excel?
Subtract today from the date: =A2-TODAY(). Format the result as a number. Negative results mean the date has passed.
Why does my TODAY formula show a different date tomorrow?
TODAY is volatile: it recalculates whenever the workbook does. Type a date into a cell if you need it to stay fixed.
Does TODAY include the time?
No. TODAY returns midnight of the current date. NOW returns the date and time.
Last reviewed October 2026. Every example result on this page is calculated live by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine.