| Function category | Date and time functions |
| Volatility | Volatile |
| Similar functions | NOW — returns current date and time DATE — creates date manually from numbers |
What does the TODAY() function do?
The TODAY function returns the current system date of the computer where the file is opened. Time is not considered - the result will be only the date.
The function is used in date calculations: for comparison, automatic determination of overdue tasks, dynamic reports and calendars.
TODAY: result and input format
By default, Excel displays the result in date format. If necessary, you can manually change the format (for example, to numeric or text).
To get a text view of the current date, use the TEXT function:
=TEXT(TODAY(), "DD.MM.YYYY")| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Task | Due | Status | Days left |
| 2 | Report | 10/20/2026 | Overdue=IF(B2<TODAY(),"Overdue",IF(B2=TODAY(),"Due today","On track")) | -2=B2-TODAY() |
| 3 | Invoice | 10/22/2026 | Due today=IF(B3<TODAY(),"Overdue",IF(B3=TODAY(),"Due today","On track")) | 0=B3-TODAY() |
| 4 | Audit | 11/05/2026 | On track=IF(B4<TODAY(),"Overdue",IF(B4=TODAY(),"Due today","On track")) | 14=B4-TODAY() |
Comparing a due date with TODAY() gives a status that changes by itself every day. The same comparison works as a Conditional Formatting rule.
TODAY function syntax
=TODAY()| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Formula | Result on 10/22/2026 | What it is |
| 2 | =TODAY() | 10/22/2026=TODAY() | current date |
| 3 | =TODAY()-7 | 10/15/2026=TODAY()-7 | a week ago |
| 4 | =DATE(YEAR(TODAY()),1,1) | 01/01/2026=DATE(YEAR(TODAY()),1,1) | January 1 of this year |
| 5 | =EOMONTH(TODAY(),0) | 10/31/2026=EOMONTH(TODAY(),0) | end of this month |
| 6 | =DATE(2026,12,31)-TODAY() | 70=DATE(2026,12,31)-TODAY() | days left in the year |
| 7 | =TEXT(TODAY(),"mm/dd/yyyy") | 10/22/2026=TEXT(TODAY(),"mm/dd/yyyy") | date as text |
| 8 | =TEXT(TODAY(),"DD.MM.YYYY") | 22.10.2026=TEXT(TODAY(),"DD.MM.YYYY") | European-style text |
The values update every time the workbook recalculates. TEXT turns the date into text in any pattern; use it only for display or for joining with other text.
Arguments:
The function requires no arguments. But parentheses "()" are mandatory.
TODAY formula examples
| Formula | Description | Result (example) |
|---|---|---|
=TODAY() | Current date | 06/17/2025 |
=TODAY()-7 | Date one week ago | 06/10/2025 |
=DATE(YEAR(TODAY()),1,1) | January 1 of current year | 01/01/2025 |
TODAY features and limitations
- The function recalculates every time the file is opened or when the worksheet is updated.
- To save a "snapshot" of the date, copy the cell with the formula and paste "as values".
- The function depends on the system date settings on the user's computer.
Other date and time functions in Excel
TIMEVALUE, TIME, YEAR, DATE, DATEVALUE, EDATE, DAY, WEEKDAY, YEARFRAC, EOMONTH, MONTH, MINUTE, WEEKNUM, WORKDAY, DATEDIF, SECOND, NOW, HOUR, NETWORKDAYS
See also:
Like the article? Help its author! Buy !SEMTools, it has lots of useful instruments to process text data.