How to Put Today’s Date in Excel
Are you looking to add the current date to your Excel spreadsheet? Whether you’re working on a budget, tracking inventory, or simply need to document when a task was completed, knowing how to put today’s date in Excel is a valuable skill. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of adding the current date to your Excel workbook in a few simple steps.
Using the Today Function
The quickest and easiest way to insert today’s date in Excel is by using the built-in “Today” function. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open your Excel workbook and navigate to the cell where you want to insert the date.
2. Type the equal sign (=) to start a formula.
3. Type “TODAY()” without the quotes.
4. Press Enter.
Voilà! The current date will automatically appear in the cell you selected. This function updates daily, so you don’t have to worry about manually changing the date.
Formatting the Date
While the “Today” function automatically inserts the current date, you may want to format it to match your preferences or the requirements of your document. Excel offers a variety of date formats to choose from. Here’s how to format the date:
1. Select the cell containing the date.
2. Right-click on the cell and choose “Format Cells” from the context menu.
3. In the “Number” tab, select “Date” from the list of categories.
4. Choose the desired date format from the available options.
5. Click “OK” to apply the format.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
If you’re working quickly and prefer keyboard shortcuts, you can use the following steps to insert today’s date:
1. Navigate to the cell where you want to insert the date.
2. Press the “Ctrl” and “Shift” keys on your keyboard.
3. While holding these keys, press the “+” key.
4. Release all keys, and the current date will appear in the cell.
Inserting the Date as a Comment
In some cases, you may want to add the date as a comment to a specific cell rather than inserting it into the cell itself. Here’s how to do it:
1. Select the cell where you want to place the comment.
2. Go to the “Insert” tab on the ribbon.
3. Click on “Comment” in the “Text” group.
4. Type your comment, followed by the current date using the “Today” function.
5. Click outside the comment box to close it.
Conclusion
Adding today’s date in Excel is a simple task that can be accomplished using the “Today” function, formatting options, keyboard shortcuts, or comments. By following these steps, you’ll be able to efficiently document dates in your spreadsheets, making your work more organized and professional.
