How to Use the NOW Function in Excel

Summary: Uncover the capabilities of the NOW function in Microsoft Excel—an essential tool for displaying the current date and time. In this tutorial, curated for data analysts with a passion for technology, explore step-by-step instructions to seamlessly integrate the NOW function into your data analysis toolkit.

The NOW function within Excel empowers you to retrieve and display the current date and time, providing real-time information for analysis and tracking. To harness the potential of this function, follow these comprehensive steps:

1. Open Excel: Launch Microsoft Excel on your computer.

2. Select a Cell: Choose the cell where you want to display the current date and time using the NOW function.

3. Enter the Formula: Input the following formula into the selected cell:

   =NOW()

4. Press Enter: After entering the formula, press the Enter key to execute the function. The cell will display the current date and time at the moment of execution.

5. View Current Date and Time: The cell will now display the current date and time, which will automatically update whenever the worksheet is recalculated or opened.

Summary: By mastering the NOW function in Excel, you can seamlessly display the current date and time for real-time analysis and tracking. By following the systematic instructions outlined in this tutorial, you can adeptly incorporate this function into your data analysis endeavors.

Feel free to ask questions or share your thoughts, fostering further exploration of this topic.

Note: The NOW function is accessible in various versions of Microsoft Excel, including Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, and Microsoft 365.