Excel TODAY Function: Complete Guide with Examples (2025)

Master the TODAY function in Excel with practical examples. Learn how to work with current dates and create dynamic date-based calculations.

Excel TODAY Function: A Comprehensive Guide

The TODAY function in Excel returns the current date. This volatile function updates automatically whenever a worksheet is recalculated, making it perfect for dynamic date-based calculations.

Quick Overview

Function Category: Date and Time
Function Version: All Excel versions
Skill Level: Beginner
Return Value: Date
Volatility: Volatile

Advantages of Using TODAY

Automatic updates
Date calculations
Simple syntax
Universal compatibility
Dynamic tracking

Syntax and Basic Usage

=TODAY()

Parameters:

None required

Example 1: Basic Usage

=TODAY()  // Returns current date
=TEXT(TODAY(), "mm/dd/yyyy")  // Formatted current date

Real-World Applications

1. Due Date Calculation

=TODAY()+30  // Due date 30 days from today

2. Age Calculation

=DATEDIF(Birth_Date,TODAY(),"Y")  // Current age

3. Days Remaining

=Deadline-TODAY()  // Days until deadline

Common Errors and Solutions

Incorrect Display
- Cause: Cell formatting
- Solution: Apply date format
Static Values
- Cause: Copy-paste as values
- Solution: Maintain formula
Unexpected Updates
- Cause: Volatile function behavior
- Solution: Use static date if needed

Tips and Best Practices

Custom Formatting
```
=TEXT(TODAY(), "mmmm d, yyyy")
```

Static Dates

=IF(A1="", TODAY(), A1)  // Only updates when empty

Date Comparisons
```
=IF(A1<TODAY(), "Overdue", "On Time")
```

Practice Exercises

Basic Applications
- Create timestamps
- Calculate durations
- Set deadlines
Advanced Usage
- Auto-updating schedules
- Age calculations
- Project timelines

Key Takeaways

Current date only
No parameters needed
Automatic updates
Format flexibility
Wide compatibility

Common Combinations

With DATEDIF

=DATEDIF(Start_Date,TODAY(),"D")  // Days elapsed

With IF

=IF(Due_Date<TODAY(),"Late","On Track")

With NETWORKDAYS

=NETWORKDAYS(Start_Date,TODAY())  // Working days elapsed

Advanced Applications

1. Dynamic Project Timeline

=LET(
    project_start, A1,
    planned_days, B1,
    elapsed_days, NETWORKDAYS(project_start, TODAY()),
    completion_pct, MIN(elapsed_days/planned_days, 1),
    {elapsed_days, TEXT(completion_pct, "0%")}
)

2. Auto-aging Report

=LET(
    invoice_date, A1,
    days_old, TODAY()-invoice_date,
    SWITCH(TRUE,
        days_old>90, "90+ Days",
        days_old>60, "60-90 Days",
        days_old>30, "30-60 Days",
        "Current"
    )
)

Business Applications

1. Project Management

Deadline tracking
Timeline updates
Progress monitoring

2. Financial Planning

Payment schedules
Due date tracking
Aging reports

3. HR Management

Employee tenure
Review schedules
Leave tracking

Next Steps

Practice formatting
Build schedules
Create trackers
Automate reports

Get Help

Having trouble with the TODAY function? Feel free to:

Leave a comment below with your question
Check our Excel Formula FAQ section
Join our Excel community for more tips and tricks

Remember: The TODAY function is essential for dynamic date calculations in Excel.

Last updated: January 2025 - Keeping you up to date with the latest Excel best practices and techniques.

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