When it comes to managing data in Google Sheets, one of the most essential tasks is to accurately record and track dates and times. Whether you’re creating a schedule, tracking progress, or analyzing data, having the ability to easily add and format dates and times is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the various ways to put date and time in Google Sheets, from basic formatting to advanced techniques.
Basic Formatting: Adding Dates and Times
Adding dates and times to your Google Sheets is a straightforward process. You can do this by typing the date and time in the desired format, or by using the built-in functions provided by Google Sheets.
To add a date, simply type it in the format you prefer, such as “mm/dd/yyyy” or “dd/mm/yyyy”. You can also use the “Date” function, which allows you to specify the date in a variety of formats.
DATE(2022, 12, 25)This will return the date “December 25, 2022”. You can also use the “TODAY” function to return the current date.
TODAY()This will return the current date, in the format “mm/dd/yyyy”.
Formatting Dates and Times
Once you’ve added a date or time to your Google Sheet, you can format it to suit your needs. Google Sheets provides a range of formatting options, including date and time formats, number formats, and text formats.
To format a date or time, select the cell containing the date or time, and then go to the “Format” menu. From there, select “Number” and then “Date and Time”. You can then choose from a range of pre-defined formats, or create your own custom format.
Format
Example
Short Date
mm/dd/yyyy
Long Date
December 25, 2022
Short Time
12:00 PM
Long Time
12:00:00 PM
Using Functions: Adding Dates and Times
In addition to basic formatting, Google Sheets provides a range of functions that allow you to add dates and times to your data. These functions can be used to calculate dates and times, as well as to format them in a variety of ways. (See Also: How to Change Color of Bars in Google Sheets? Easily Customize)
The NOW Function
The NOW function returns the current date and time. This can be useful for adding a timestamp to your data, or for calculating dates and times relative to the current date and time.
NOW()This will return the current date and time, in the format “mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss AM/PM”.
Using the NOW Function with Other Functions
The NOW function can be used in conjunction with other functions to calculate dates and times. For example, you can use the NOW function with the HOUR function to calculate the current hour.
HOUR(NOW())This will return the current hour, in the format “00” to “23”.
The TODAY Function
The TODAY function returns the current date. This can be useful for adding a date to your data, or for calculating dates relative to the current date.
TODAY()This will return the current date, in the format “mm/dd/yyyy”.
Using the TODAY Function with Other Functions
The TODAY function can be used in conjunction with other functions to calculate dates. For example, you can use the TODAY function with the DATEADD function to add a specified number of days to the current date. (See Also: How to Make Box Fit Text in Google Sheets? Effortlessly)
DATEADD(DAY, 7, TODAY())This will return the date seven days from the current date.
Using Add-ons: Adding Dates and Times
In addition to basic formatting and functions, Google Sheets also provides a range of add-ons that can be used to add dates and times to your data. These add-ons can be used to automate tasks, as well as to provide additional functionality.
The AutoDate Add-on
The AutoDate add-on allows you to automatically add dates and times to your data. This can be useful for tracking progress, or for adding a timestamp to your data.
Feature
Description
Automatic Date and Time
Adds the current date and time to your data
Date and Time Format
Allows you to specify the format of the date and time
Customizable
Allows you to customize the add-on to suit your needs
Conclusion
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored the various ways to put date and time in Google Sheets. From basic formatting to advanced functions and add-ons, we’ve covered it all. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, we hope you’ve found this guide helpful in adding dates and times to your data.
Recap
Here’s a recap of the key points covered in this guide:
- Basic formatting: Adding dates and times to your Google Sheets
- Using functions: Adding dates and times using Google Sheets functions
- Using add-ons: Adding dates and times using Google Sheets add-ons
FAQs
Q: How do I add a date and time to my Google Sheet?
A: You can add a date and time to your Google Sheet by typing it in the desired format, or by using the built-in “Date” function. You can also use the “TODAY” function to return the current date.
Q: How do I format a date and time in Google Sheets?
A: You can format a date and time in Google Sheets by selecting the cell containing the date or time, and then going to the “Format” menu. From there, select “Number” and then “Date and Time”, and choose from a range of pre-defined formats or create your own custom format.
Q: How do I use the NOW function in Google Sheets?
A: The NOW function returns the current date and time. You can use it to add a timestamp to your data, or to calculate dates and times relative to the current date and time. For example, you can use the NOW function with the HOUR function to calculate the current hour.
Q: How do I use the TODAY function in Google Sheets?
A: The TODAY function returns the current date. You can use it to add a date to your data, or to calculate dates relative to the current date. For example, you can use the TODAY function with the DATEADD function to add a specified number of days to the current date.
Q: Are there any add-ons available for adding dates and times in Google Sheets?
A: Yes, there are several add-ons available for adding dates and times in Google Sheets. One popular add-on is the AutoDate add-on, which allows you to automatically add dates and times to your data.