NOW
Returns the current date and time.
=NOW()This static page keeps the function indexed for search, while the spreadsheet app handles interactive exploration and saved formulas.
What the function does
Overview
Returns the current date and time.
The NOW function is a volatile function that returns the serial number representing the current date and time in Microsoft Excel. It updates every time the worksheet recalculates or is opened, which is useful for real-time monitoring but can lead to performance issues in massive workbooks. Excel stores dates as integers and times as decimals; therefore, NOW() returns a value where the integer represents the number of days since January 1, 1900, and the fractional part represents the time. A common edge case involves time-sensitive calculations where the result changes unexpectedly when other cells are edited. To lock the value, one must use 'Paste Values' or the static keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+; for time. It is important to note that the precision of the time returned depends on the system clock of the computer running Excel.
Quick reference
Syntax
=NOW()Formula patterns
Examples
Calculate time remaining until a specific deadline
=A2-NOW()Dynamic greeting based on current hour
=IF(HOUR(NOW())<12, "Good Morning", "Good Afternoon")Determine if a specific event in cell A2 has expired
=IF(NOW()>A2, "Expired", "Active")Avoid these issues
Common Errors
Incorrect Cell Format
Cause: The cell displays a decimal number like 45231.75 instead of a readable date and time because the format is set to 'General'.
Fix: Change the cell category to 'Date' or 'Time' using the Format Cells dialog (Ctrl+1) or the Home tab dropdown.
Performance Lag
Cause: Using NOW() in thousands of formulas causes Excel to recalculate the entire dependency chain every time any cell is edited.
Fix: Minimize the use of volatile functions in large models or convert the result to a static value using Copy followed by Paste Values.
Platform support
Compatibility
Source: Microsoft Support
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Returns the current date and time.
Incorrect Cell Format: Change the cell category to 'Date' or 'Time' using the Format Cells dialog (Ctrl+1) or the Home tab dropdown. Performance Lag: Minimize the use of volatile functions in large models or convert the result to a static value using Copy followed by Paste Values.