TODAY & NOW
Return the current date (TODAY) or date and time (NOW); they update automatically.
Syntax
=TODAY() =NOW()=TODAY()Returns: Today's date
Recalculates each time the sheet opens.
=A2-TODAY()Returns: Days until the date in A2
Subtract dates to get a day count.
Common Errors and Gotchas
- These are volatile - they recalculate on every change, which can slow very large workbooks.
- To freeze a date, paste it as a value or press Ctrl+; when typing.
Does TODAY & NOW Work in Google Sheets?
Yes. TODAY & NOW uses the same syntax in Google Sheets and LibreOffice Calc, so you can paste these formulas straight across.