The NOW function
Returns the current date and time. It updates every time the sheet recalculates, so it is a live clock, not a timestamp.
Syntax
NOW()Examples
B1=ISNUMBER(NOW())
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TRUE |
B1=INT(NOW())-TODAY()
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 |
B1=IF(NOW()>DATE(2024,1,1),"After Jan 1, 2024","Before")
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | After Jan 1, 2024 |
Questions
How do I enter a timestamp that does not change?
Type it with a shortcut instead of a formula. On Windows, Ctrl+; enters today's date and Ctrl+Shift+; the current time. On a Mac, use Ctrl+; and Cmd+;.
What is the difference between NOW and TODAY?
TODAY returns the date only, as a whole number. NOW adds the time of day as a fraction, so at 6 PM it is 0.75 more than TODAY.