The TODAY function in Excel is a built-in function that returns the current date. It is a useful function for inserting the current date into a spreadsheet or for use in calculations involving dates. This function is particularly useful when working with data that is constantly changing or when you want to track changes over time.
To use the TODAY function in Excel, you simply type “=TODAY()” into a cell and press enter. This will insert the current date into the cell. You can also format the cell to display the date in a specific format, such as “dd/mm/yyyy” or “mm/dd/yyyy.”
One of the main benefits of the TODAY function is that it automatically updates to the current date whenever the spreadsheet is opened or refreshed. This means that you don’t have to manually update the date every time you use the spreadsheet. This can save a lot of time and effort, especially if you are working with a large dataset that is constantly changing.
The TODAY function can also be used in conjunction with other functions in Excel. For example, you can use it to calculate the number of days between two dates by subtracting one date from another. You can also use it to calculate the number of days until a specific date, or to find the date that is a certain number of days before or after a given date.
For example, let’s say you want to find the number of days until your birthday. You could use the TODAY function in combination with the DATEDIF function to calculate this. First, enter your birthday into a cell (e.g. “01/01/2022”). Then, in a separate cell, enter the formula “=DATEDIF(TODAY(), A1, “d”).” This formula calculates the number of days between the current date (returned by the TODAY function) and your birthday (stored in cell A1). The “d” argument tells Excel to return the number of days between the two dates.
Another useful function that works well with the TODAY function is the NETWORKDAYS function. This function calculates the number of workdays between two dates, excluding weekends and any holidays that you specify. For example, you could use the NETWORKDAYS function to find the number of workdays between the current date and a specific deadline. To do this, you would enter the formula “=NETWORKDAYS(TODAY(), A1)” where A1 is the cell containing the deadline.
In addition to these basic uses, the TODAY function can also be used in more advanced formulas and calculations. For example, you can use it to find the number of months between two dates by using the MONTH function in combination with the TODAY function. You can also use it to calculate the number of years between two dates by using the YEAR function.
For example, let’s say you want to find the number of years between your birthday and the current date. You could use the formula “=YEAR(TODAY())-YEAR(A1)” where A1 is the cell containing your birthday. This formula calculates the number of years between the current date (returned by the TODAY function) and your birthday by subtracting the year of your birthday from the current year.
In addition to these basic calculations, the TODAY function can also be used in more advanced formulas and scenarios. For example, you can use it to calculate the number of days until a specific date and then use that number to trigger an action or event. To do this, you can use the TODAY function in combination with the IF function.