TODAY Function returns current date only whereas NOW function returns the current system date and time both.
NOW function is useful when you need to display system current date and time on a worksheet.
It is also useful to when you need to calculate a value based on the current date and time and have that value updated each time you open the worksheet.
The NOW function will refresh the date/time value whenever the worksheet recalculates.
If the function does not update the cell value by itself when required, you need to change settings that control when the workbook or worksheet recalculates.
These settings are found in Control Panel for the Excel desktop application.
You can use the shortcut key “Ctrl + ;” to insert the current date and “Ctrl + Shift + ;” to insert the current time in a cell.
Syntax for NOW Function
=NOW()
Just like the TODAY function, NOW Function also does not take any input arguments. It is used with empty parenthesis.
The NOW function is an inbuilt function in Excel. It falls under the categorized of Date/Time Functions.
It is both a worksheet function as well as a VBA Function.
As a worksheet function, you can enter the NOW function as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet.
As a VBA function, you can enter it in macro mode in Visual Basic Editor.
We have created the infographics for the NOW Function. With the help of these infographics, you can easily learn step by step process for using this excel functions.
Furthermore, Excel consists of many inbuilt functions which are helpful in the analytical and statistical study of number.
Simply follow the instructions in the infographics below:
Errors
There are no as such #NUM! or #VALUE! errors in this function. But If your system date or time is wrong then it will display the wrong system date or time. Based on the wrong date your calculation may have wrong results.
To learn other function like CUMPRINC, ACCRINTM and PRODUCT Functions, please click on the name of the function.
Additionally, you can download other accounting templates like Weekly Timesheet, Salary Sheet and Checkbook Register from here.
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