MS Excel: TODAY function to return the current date automatically

Fakhriddinbek
May 4
2 min read

The TODAY function in Microsoft Excel is a volatile date function that returns the current system date, dynamically updating each day you open or refresh the workbook. It does not return the time—only the date.

Excel spreadsheet with a "Function Arguments" dialog box open, showing options for a date function. Toolbar with various icons above.

Whether you're creating dashboards, reports, trackers, or deadline calculators, TODAY() helps keep your data up to date without manual input.

Syntax

=TODAY()

Arguments:

The TODAY function has no arguments.

Examples

Example 1: Return the Current Date

=TODAY()

Result (on May 2, 2025): 02/05/2025

This result will automatically update every day.

Example 2: Calculate Days Until a Future Date

=A2 - TODAY()

If A2 = 31/12/2025, this formula will return the number of days remaining until New Year’s

Eve.

Example 3: Calculate Age or Tenure

If a birth date or start date is in cell A2:

=DATEDIF(A2, TODAY(), "Y")

Returns the age or years of service based on today's date.

Example 4: Expiry or Due Date Passed?

=IF(A2 < TODAY(), "Overdue", "On Track")

Useful in task or invoice management to flag past due items.

Sample Table

Description	Formula	Result (if today is May 2, 2025)
Current date	=TODAY()	02/05/2025
10 days from today	=TODAY() + 10	12/05/2025
30 days ago	=TODAY() - 30	02/04/2025

Notes & Behavior

The result of TODAY() is recalculated each time the worksheet changes or is opened.
To prevent the date from changing, you can convert the result to static by copying and using Paste Values.
It returns the system date from your computer, not from the internet.

Related Functions

Function	Purpose
NOW()	Returns the current date and time
DATE()	Creates a date from year, month, and day
DATEDIF()	Calculates difference between two dates
EDATE()	Adds/subtracts months to/from a date
TODAY()	Returns current date (no time)

Summary Table

Feature	Description
Function Name	TODAY
Purpose	Returns the current date
Argument Required	❌ None
Returns	Date (as a serial number)
Volatile	✅ Yes (updates on recalculation)
Introduced In	Excel 2000+

Conclusion

The TODAY function is one of the most frequently used Excel functions for automating date-based logic. Whether you're building reports, aging schedules, or real-time trackers, TODAY() ensures your sheets are always reflecting the current date without manual updates.