How to Use Now Function in Excel?

Are you looking for a way to quickly calculate values in Microsoft Excel? The NOW function is a powerful tool that can help you get the job done with ease. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to use the NOW function in Excel and explore some of its potential uses. With the help of this simple but powerful function, you’ll be able to quickly calculate dates and times in your spreadsheet. So, let’s get started!

What is the Now Function?

The NOW function in Excel is a date and time function that returns the current date and time as a serial number. It can be used to update a cell or range of cells with the current date and time. It is a great way to quickly enter the current date and time into a spreadsheet, or to update the date and time on a regular basis.

The NOW function is often used in combination with other functions, such as the DATEVALUE, TIMEVALUE, and TODAY functions, to extract the current date, time, or both. It is also used in formulas to calculate the duration between two dates and times or to determine the number of days in a month.

How to Use Now Function in Excel?

Using the NOW function in Excel is very simple. To enter the current date and time into a cell, simply type =NOW() into the cell. The current date and time will be returned as a serial number.

To update the date and time on a regular basis, enter the NOW function into a cell, and then copy the cell and paste it into the cells that you wish to update. This will ensure that the date and time in the cells are updated whenever the worksheet is opened or recalculated.

Using the NOW Function in Formulas

The NOW function can also be used in formulas to calculate the duration between two dates and times or to determine the number of days in a month. For example, the formula =NOW()-A1 can be used to calculate the duration between the current date and time and the date and time in cell A1.

The NOW function can also be used in combination with other functions such as the DATE, YEAR, MONTH, and DAY functions to determine the number of days in a month. For example, the formula =DAY(NOW()) can be used to determine the current day of the month.

Using the NOW Function to Automatically Update Dates and Times

The NOW function can also be used to automatically update dates and times in a worksheet. To do this, enter the NOW function into a cell, and then copy the cell and paste it into the cells that you wish to update. This will ensure that the date and time in the cells are updated whenever the worksheet is opened or recalculated.

Using the NOW Function to Format Dates and Times

The NOW function can also be used to format dates and times in a worksheet. To do this, enter the NOW function into a cell, and then use the TEXT function to format the serial number returned by the NOW function. For example, the formula =TEXT(NOW(),”dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm”) can be used to format the current date and time as day/month/year hour:minute.

Using the NOW Function to Create Unique Identifiers

The NOW function can also be used to create unique identifiers in a worksheet. To do this, enter the NOW function into a cell, and then use the TEXT function to format the serial number returned by the NOW function. For example, the formula =TEXT(NOW(),”ddmmyyyyhhmmss”) can be used to format the current date and time as daymonthyearhourminuteseconds. This can be used to create unique identifiers such as invoice numbers or customer ids.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the Now Function in Excel?

A1. The Now function in Excel is a built-in function that returns the current date and time based on the computer’s system clock. This function is useful for tracking changes and time-stamping actions. The Now function can be used in all versions of Microsoft Excel from Excel 97 to the latest version of Excel.

Q2. How do I Use the Now Function in Excel?

A2. To use the Now Function in Excel, simply enter the formula “=Now()” into a cell. Excel will then return the current date and time in the cell where the formula was entered. You can also use the Now Function to return the current time only by entering the formula “=Now()-1”.

Q3. What are the Parameters Used in the Now Function?

A3. The Now Function does not use any parameters. The Now Function requires no input values, as it retrieves the current date and time based on the computer’s system clock.

Q4. What are the Return Values of the Now Function?

A4. The Now Function will return the current date and time as a Date/Time value. This value is composed of two parts: the date and the time. The date is represented by a number, while the time is represented by a decimal number. For example, 10/27/2020 12:30 PM would be represented as 43790.52.

Q5. What are Some Common Uses for the Now Function?

A5. The Now Function can be used to track changes and time-stamp actions. For example, it can be used to track when certain tasks were completed or to create a log of changes made to a spreadsheet over time. It can also be used to create conditional formatting rules that change based on the current date and time.

Q6. How Can I Format the Return Values of the Now Function?

A6. The return values of the Now Function can be formatted just like any other cell value. To do this, simply select the cell containing the Now Function, right-click, and select “Format Cells”. You can then choose from a variety of formatting options, such as Date, Time, Number, or Custom formats. You can also choose to display the date and time in a specific format, such as “MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM AM/PM”.

How to Use NOW Function in Excel

The NOW function in Excel is a valuable tool for any user looking to quickly insert the current date and time into their worksheets. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can quickly and easily add dates and times to your Excel worksheets. This can be a great way to track activities and keep track of important deadlines. With the NOW function, you can now easily make sure that your Excel worksheets are always up to date.