Knowing how to display the current date in Excel is a fundamental skill for any spreadsheet user. Whether you're creating a simple log or a complex financial model, displaying the correct date is essential. In this article, we'll explore six methods to achieve this, ranging from basic to advanced techniques.

Method 1: Using the TODAY Function

The TODAY function is the simplest way to insert the current date into your Excel spreadsheet. Here’s how you can use it:

1. Open your Excel workbook and navigate to the cell where you want the current date to appear.
2. Type =TODAY() into the cell and press Enter.
3. The cell will now display the current date.

The TODAY function is dynamic, which means it will update automatically whenever the workbook is opened or recalculated. This ensures that the displayed date remains accurate and up-to-date.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut

If you prefer a quicker method, you can use a keyboard shortcut to insert the current date. Here’s how:

1. Select the cell where you want the date to appear.
2. Press Ctrl + ; (semicolon) on your keyboard.
3. The current date will be inserted into the cell.

This shortcut is especially useful when you need to insert the date quickly without typing the TODAY function.

Method 3: Custom Formatting

Excel allows you to customize the format of dates to suit your preferences. Here’s how you can use custom formatting to display the current date:

1. Select the cell or range of cells where you want to apply the custom format.
2. Right-click and select Format Cells from the context menu.
3. In the Format Cells dialog box, go to the Number tab.
4. Under Category, select Custom.
5. In the Type box, enter a custom format code, such as mm/dd/yyyy for a specific date format.
6. Click OK to apply the custom format.

Now, when you insert the current date using the TODAY function or the keyboard shortcut, it will be displayed in the custom format you specified.

Method 4: Using VBA (Visual Basic for Applications)

For more advanced users, you can use VBA to insert the current date into your Excel spreadsheet. Here’s a simple VBA code to achieve this:

Sub InsertCurrentDate()
    ActiveCell.Value = Date
End Sub

1. Open the VBA editor by pressing Alt + F11 or going to Developer > Visual Basic in the Excel ribbon.
2. Insert a new module and paste the code into it.
3. Run the macro by pressing F5 or clicking the Run button.
4. The current date will be inserted into the active cell.

This method provides more control and flexibility, especially when working with complex spreadsheets.

Method 5: Dynamic Date with Formulas

If you want the date to update dynamically based on a specific cell’s value, you can use formulas. Here’s an example using the IF function:

=IF(A1=“”,“”,TODAY())

1. In the formula, A1 represents the cell you want to monitor for changes.
2. If A1 is empty, the formula will return an empty string.
3. If A1 contains a value, the formula will return the current date.

This method is useful when you want the date to update only when a specific condition is met.

Method 6: Date Picker Control

For a more interactive approach, you can use Excel’s built-in Date Picker control. Here’s how:

1. Select the cell where you want the date to appear.
2. Go to the Developer tab and click Insert.
3. In the ActiveX Controls group, select Date Picker.
4. Click and drag to draw the Date Picker control on your worksheet.
5. Right-click the control and select Properties.
6. In the Properties window, set the LinkedCell property to the cell where you want the date to be displayed.

Now, whenever you click on the Date Picker control, you can select a date, and it will be displayed in the linked cell.

Conclusion

Displaying the current date in Excel is a fundamental skill that can be achieved through various methods. Whether you prefer simple functions, keyboard shortcuts, custom formatting, VBA, dynamic formulas, or interactive controls, Excel provides the tools to suit your needs. By understanding these methods, you can create accurate and up-to-date spreadsheets with ease.

Can I format the date to a specific style, like “dd-mm-yyyy”?+

Yes, you can format the date to your desired style using the custom formatting option. Simply follow the steps in Method 3 to specify the format code, such as “dd-mm-yyyy”, and Excel will display the date accordingly.

How can I make the date update automatically when the workbook is opened?+

To ensure the date updates automatically, use the TODAY function or the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + ;). These methods will dynamically update the date whenever the workbook is opened or recalculated.

Is it possible to insert the current time along with the date?+

Yes, you can combine the date and time using the NOW function. This function returns the current date and time. Simply type =NOW() into the cell and press Enter to insert the current date and time.

Can I use these methods in Excel Online?+

Most of the methods mentioned here are compatible with Excel Online. However, some advanced features like VBA may not be available in the online version. It’s best to check the specific features supported by Excel Online for your use case.

What if I want to insert the date in a specific format, like “Monday, January 1st, 2024”?+

You can achieve this by using the TEXT function along with a custom format code. For example, =TEXT(TODAY(),“dddd, MMMM d, yyyy”) will display the current date in the format “Monday, January 1st, 2024”.