Show Today’s Date in Google Sheets: 5 Ways

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Show Today's Date in Google Sheets: 5 Ways

To show today’s date in Google Sheets, use the =TODAY() function, which automatically updates to the current date each time the sheet recalculates. For a static date that stays fixed once entered, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+; (Windows/ChromeOS) or Cmd+; (Mac). This article explains how these methods work, how to format dates, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Why Use TODAY() vs. a Static Date

The TODAY() function is volatileâ€”it returns the current date based on your system clock and refreshes whenever the spreadsheet recalculates (e.g., when you open the file or edit any cell). This is ideal for dashboards, countdowns, or tracking “days since” a past event. However, if you need a permanent record of when you entered data (like an invoice date), use the static shortcut Ctrl+; or Cmd+;. That shortcut inserts the current date as a plain value that never changes.

How to Insert Today’s Date with TODAY()

Click the cell where you want the date.
Type =TODAY() and press Enter.
The cell displays the current date in your spreadsheet’s default date format (e.g., 6/1/2025).
To update the date manually, press F5 (or Cmd+R on Mac) to refresh the sheet, or simply edit any cell.

You can also combine TODAY() with other functions: =TODAY()+7 gives the date one week from now; =TODAY()-30 gives 30 days ago.

Inserting a Static Date with Keyboard Shortcuts

To insert today’s date as a fixed value (it won’t change later):

Windows/ChromeOS: Ctrl+;
Mac: Cmd+;

This is perfect for log entries, attendance sheets, or any record where the date should reflect when the row was created. If you need both date and time, use Ctrl+Shift+; (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+; (Mac) to insert the current time as a static value.

Formatting the Date Display

By default, Google Sheets shows dates in the locale-based format (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY for US). To change the display:

Select the cell(s) with the date.
Go to Format â†’ Number â†’ Custom date and time.
Choose a preset like “14 May 2025” or create a custom format using tokens: YYYY for year, MM for month, DD for day, HH for hour, MM for minutes.

Remember: formatting only changes how the date looks; the underlying value remains a serial number (days since 12/30/1899). That’s why you can do arithmetic with dates.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Date shows as a number (e.g., 45809): The cell is formatted as a number. Apply Format â†’ Number â†’ Date.
TODAY() not updating: Check that your device’s date/time is correct. Also, if you have the spreadsheet open, it may not recalc until you make a change or press F5.
Date appears as text (e.g., “Jun 1”): This happens when you type a date manually. Use the shortcut or function instead to keep it as a date value.
Wrong timezone: Google Sheets uses the spreadsheet’s timezone setting (File â†’ Settings). If you travel, the date may shift. Set the timezone to your current location.

Using TODAY() in Formulas and Conditions

TODAY() is often used with conditional formatting to highlight deadlines:

Highlight overdue tasks: =A2<TODAY()
Highlight tasks due today: =A2=TODAY()
Calculate age: =DATEDIF(A2, TODAY(), "Y") (returns years between a birthdate and today).

For a countdown, use =A2-TODAY() to get the number of days remaining (negative if past).

Alternatives: NOW() and Other Date Functions

If you need the current date and time, use =NOW(). It updates every minute and includes the time component. For a static timestamp, use Ctrl+Shift+; (or Cmd+Shift+; on Mac). Other useful date functions include DATE(year, month, day) to create a date from numbers, and EOMONTH(date, 0) to get the last day of the month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my =TODAY() show a wrong date?

Most likely your device’s system date is incorrect, or the spreadsheet’s timezone is set to a region ahead/behind yours. Check both: your computer’s clock and File â†’ Settings â†’ Timezone.

Can I freeze the date so it doesn’t change?

Yes. Instead of =TODAY(), use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+; (or Cmd+; on Mac) to insert a static date. This value remains fixed even after reopening the sheet.

How do I show today’s date in a header or title?

Type =TODAY() in a cell, then reference it in a header using a formula like ="Report as of "&TEXT(A1, "mmmm d, yyyy"). Or simply format the cell with a custom date format.

Does TODAY() work in Google Sheets on mobile?

Yes, the function works in the mobile apps. However, the keyboard shortcut for static dates is not available; you can type the date manually or use the function and then copy/paste as values.

Why does my date show as a number when I use TODAY()?

The cell format is set to “Number” or “Plain text”. Select the cell, then go to Format â†’ Number â†’ Date. This will convert the serial number to a readable date.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.