When working with dates in Google Sheets, it’s essential to know how to get today’s date accurately. This is particularly important when creating formulas that rely on current dates, such as tracking deadlines, scheduling appointments, or monitoring project timelines. Having the correct date can significantly impact the accuracy of your data and the reliability of your calculations.
Overview
In this tutorial, we will explore the different methods to get today’s date in Google Sheets. We will cover the use of built-in functions, formulas, and shortcuts to retrieve the current date. You will learn how to:
Use the TODAY function
This method involves using the TODAY function, which returns the current date. We will demonstrate how to apply this function in various scenarios, including using it as a standalone formula or combining it with other functions.
Use formulas and shortcuts
In addition to the TODAY function, we will explore alternative formulas and shortcuts to get today’s date. These methods can be useful when you need to perform calculations or manipulate dates in specific ways.
Format and customize the date output
Finally, we will discuss how to format and customize the date output to suit your needs. This includes changing the date format, extracting specific date components, and more.
By the end of this tutorial, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to get today’s date in Google Sheets and be able to apply these techniques to your own projects and calculations.
How to Get Today’s Date in Google Sheets
Getting today’s date in Google Sheets is a simple task that can be achieved using a few different methods. In this article, we will explore the different ways to get today’s date in Google Sheets, including using formulas, functions, and formatting options. (See Also: How To Do Averages In Google Sheets)
Method 1: Using the TODAY Function
The TODAY function is a built-in function in Google Sheets that returns the current date. To use the TODAY function, simply type “=TODAY()” into a cell, and press Enter. This will return the current date in the format “MM/DD/YYYY”.
Example: If you enter “=TODAY()” into cell A1, and today’s date is July 25, 2022, the result will be “7/25/2022”.
Method 2: Using the NOW Function
The NOW function is another built-in function in Google Sheets that returns the current date and time. To use the NOW function, simply type “=NOW()” into a cell, and press Enter. This will return the current date and time in the format “MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM:SS”.
Example: If you enter “=NOW()” into cell A1, and the current date and time is July 25, 2022 10:45:00, the result will be “7/25/2022 10:45:00”.
Method 3: Using a Formula
You can also use a formula to get today’s date in Google Sheets. One way to do this is to use the following formula: “=DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(TODAY()), DAY(TODAY()))”. This formula uses the YEAR, MONTH, and DAY functions to extract the year, month, and day from the current date, and then combines them into a single date value.
Example: If you enter “=DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(TODAY()), DAY(TODAY()))” into cell A1, and today’s date is July 25, 2022, the result will be “7/25/2022”.
Formatting Options
Once you have entered one of the above formulas or functions into a cell, you can format the result to display the date in a specific way. To do this, select the cell containing the date, and then go to the “Format” tab in the top menu. From there, you can select from a variety of date formats, such as “MM/DD/YYYY”, “DD/MM/YYYY”, or “YYYY-MM-DD”. (See Also: How To Lock Sheets In Google Sheets)
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| MM/DD/YYYY | 07/25/2022 |
| DD/MM/YYYY | 25/07/2022 |
| YYYY-MM-DD | 2022-07-25 |
Common Uses for Today’s Date in Google Sheets
Getting today’s date in Google Sheets can be useful in a variety of situations, such as:
- Tracking dates for projects or tasks
- Creating automated reports or dashboards
- Generating invoices or receipts
- Creating schedules or calendars
Recap
In this article, we explored three different methods for getting today’s date in Google Sheets: using the TODAY function, using the NOW function, and using a formula. We also discussed formatting options for displaying the date in a specific way. Whether you need to track dates for projects, create automated reports, or generate invoices, getting today’s date in Google Sheets is a useful skill to have.
Key Points:
- The TODAY function returns the current date in the format “MM/DD/YYYY”.
- The NOW function returns the current date and time in the format “MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM:SS”.
- A formula can be used to get today’s date by combining the YEAR, MONTH, and DAY functions.
- Formatting options can be used to display the date in a specific way.
By following the methods outlined in this article, you should be able to easily get today’s date in Google Sheets and use it for a variety of purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Get Today’s Date in Google Sheets
How do I get the current date in Google Sheets?
You can get the current date in Google Sheets by using the TODAY() function. Simply type =TODAY() in a cell, and it will return the current date.
Can I format the date to display in a specific way?
Yes, you can format the date to display in a specific way using the TEXT function. For example, if you want to display the date in the format “mm/dd/yyyy”, you can use the formula =TEXT(TODAY(),”mm/dd/yyyy”).
Will the date update automatically when I open the sheet tomorrow?
Yes, the TODAY() function will update automatically to reflect the current date when you open the sheet tomorrow. This is because the function is volatile, meaning it recalculates every time the sheet is opened or updated.
Can I use the TODAY() function in a formula or calculation?
Yes, you can use the TODAY() function in a formula or calculation. For example, if you want to calculate the number of days until a deadline, you can use the formula =TODAY()+X, where X is the number of days until the deadline.
Is there a way to get the current date and time in Google Sheets?
Yes, you can get the current date and time in Google Sheets by using the NOW() function. This function returns the current date and time, and can be used in a similar way to the TODAY() function. For example, =NOW() will return the current date and time.