Google Sheets Get Current Date? Easy Tutorial Guide

Google Sheets is a powerful tool for data analysis and management, offering a wide range of features and functions to help users create and edit spreadsheets. One of the most essential features of Google Sheets is its ability to automatically update dates and times, making it easy to track changes and record events. In this blog post, we will explore the topic of getting the current date in Google Sheets, including the various methods and techniques available to achieve this.

Getting the current date in Google Sheets is a common requirement in many scenarios, such as tracking project deadlines, recording meeting dates, or updating inventory levels. The ability to automatically retrieve the current date can save time and reduce errors, making it an essential feature for anyone using Google Sheets. In this post, we will delve into the different methods of getting the current date in Google Sheets, including the use of formulas, functions, and add-ons.

Method 1: Using the TODAY() Function

The TODAY() function is a built-in function in Google Sheets that returns the current date. This function can be used to get the current date in a cell, and it can also be used to update dates in a spreadsheet automatically. To use the TODAY() function, simply type “=TODAY()” in a cell and press enter.

The TODAY() function returns the current date in the format “YYYY-MM-DD”. If you want to format the date differently, you can use the DATE() function in combination with the TODAY() function. For example, to get the current date in the format “DD-MM-YYYY”, you can use the following formula:

DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(TODAY()), DAY(TODAY()))

This formula returns the current date in the format “DD-MM-YYYY”. You can also use the DATE() function to format the date in other ways, such as “MM/DD/YYYY” or “YYYY/MM/DD”.

Using the TODAY() Function with Conditional Formatting

The TODAY() function can also be used with conditional formatting to highlight cells that contain dates that are older than a certain number of days. To do this, follow these steps:

Select the cells that you want to format.
Go to the “Format” tab in the top menu.
Click on “Conditional formatting”.
Choose a rule type, such as “Custom formula is”.
In the formula box, enter the following formula:

=TODAY()-A1>14

Replace A1 with the cell that contains the date you want to check.
Click on “Done”.

This will highlight cells that contain dates that are older than 14 days. You can adjust the number of days to suit your needs.

Method 2: Using the NOW() Function

The NOW() function is another built-in function in Google Sheets that returns the current date and time. This function can be used to get the current date and time in a cell, and it can also be used to update dates and times in a spreadsheet automatically. To use the NOW() function, simply type “=NOW()” in a cell and press enter. (See Also: How to Auto Fit Row Height in Google Sheets? Simplify Your Workflow)

The NOW() function returns the current date and time in the format “YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS”. If you want to format the date and time differently, you can use the DATE() and TIME() functions in combination with the NOW() function. For example, to get the current date and time in the format “DD-MM-YYYY HH:MM”, you can use the following formula:

DATE(YEAR(NOW()), MONTH(NOW()), DAY(NOW())) & ” ” & TIME(HOUR(NOW()), MINUTE(NOW()), SECOND(NOW()))

This formula returns the current date and time in the format “DD-MM-YYYY HH:MM”. You can also use the DATE() and TIME() functions to format the date and time in other ways, such as “MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM” or “YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM”.

Using the NOW() Function with Conditional Formatting

The NOW() function can also be used with conditional formatting to highlight cells that contain dates and times that are older than a certain number of days. To do this, follow these steps:

Select the cells that you want to format.
Go to the “Format” tab in the top menu.
Click on “Conditional formatting”.
Choose a rule type, such as “Custom formula is”.
In the formula box, enter the following formula:

=NOW()-A1>14

Replace A1 with the cell that contains the date and time you want to check.
Click on “Done”.

This will highlight cells that contain dates and times that are older than 14 days. You can adjust the number of days to suit your needs.

Method 3: Using Add-ons

There are several add-ons available for Google Sheets that can help you get the current date and time. Some popular add-ons include:

AutoDate: This add-on allows you to automatically update dates and times in your spreadsheet.
Date Picker: This add-on provides a date picker interface that makes it easy to select dates and times.
Time Zone Converter: This add-on helps you convert dates and times between different time zones.

To use an add-on, follow these steps: (See Also: How to Make Cells Smaller in Google Sheets? Easy Step-by-Step Guide)

Go to the Google Sheets add-ons store.
Search for the add-on you want to use.
Click on the add-on to install it.
Follow the instructions to set up the add-on.

Once you have installed and set up the add-on, you can use it to get the current date and time in your spreadsheet.

Method 4: Using Scripts

Google Sheets also allows you to use scripts to get the current date and time. To use a script, follow these steps:

Go to the Google Sheets script editor.
Click on “New” to create a new script.
Enter the following code:

function getCurrentDate() { return new Date(); }

Save the script.
Run the script by clicking on the “Run” button.

This will return the current date and time in the format “YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS”. You can also use the script to format the date and time in other ways, such as “DD-MM-YYYY HH:MM” or “MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM”.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have explored the different methods of getting the current date and time in Google Sheets. We have discussed the use of formulas, functions, add-ons, and scripts to achieve this. Whether you need to get the current date and time for a single cell or for an entire spreadsheet, there is a method available that suits your needs. We hope this post has been helpful in getting you started with using Google Sheets to get the current date and time.

Recap

Here is a recap of the methods we have discussed:

Method 1: Using the TODAY() function to get the current date.
Method 2: Using the NOW() function to get the current date and time.
Method 3: Using add-ons to get the current date and time.
Method 4: Using scripts to get the current date and time.

We hope this recap has been helpful in summarizing the methods we have discussed.

FAQs

Google Sheets Get Current Date?

Q: How do I get the current date in Google Sheets?

A: You can get the current date in Google Sheets using the TODAY() function. Simply type “=TODAY()” in a cell and press enter. You can also use the DATE() function in combination with the TODAY() function to format the date in different ways.

Q: How do I get the current date and time in Google Sheets?

A: You can get the current date and time in Google Sheets using the NOW() function. Simply type “=NOW()” in a cell and press enter. You can also use the DATE() and TIME() functions in combination with the NOW() function to format the date and time in different ways.

Q: Can I use add-ons to get the current date and time in Google Sheets?

A: Yes, you can use add-ons to get the current date and time in Google Sheets. There are several add-ons available that can help you achieve this, such as AutoDate, Date Picker, and Time Zone Converter.

Q: Can I use scripts to get the current date and time in Google Sheets?

A: Yes, you can use scripts to get the current date and time in Google Sheets. You can create a script using the Google Sheets script editor and use it to get the current date and time.

Q: How do I format the date and time in Google Sheets?

A: You can format the date and time in Google Sheets using the DATE() and TIME() functions. For example, to get the current date and time in the format “DD-MM-YYYY HH:MM”, you can use the following formula: