How to Use the TODAY Function in Excel (Auto-Update Dates Easily)

How to Use the TODAY Function in Excel (Auto-Update Dates Easily)

The TODAY() function returns the current date and updates automatically when you open or refresh the sheet. It’s a simple yet powerful tool for daily reports, aging data, and scheduling.

📘 Syntax:

=TODAY()

✅ Example 1 – Show Today’s Date:

=TODAY()

This will display the current date like 11-Jul-2025.

✅ Example 2 – Calculate Age or Days Passed:

=TODAY() - A2

Returns the number of days between today and the date in cell A2.

🎯 Common Use Cases:

• Timesheets and attendance tracking
• Daily task checklists
• Dynamic reports or invoice aging

💡 Pro Tip:

You can combine TODAY() with IF() to check if a deadline is overdue:

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

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