How To Use The Current Date And Time In Google Sheets

Google Sheets is a powerful tool for organizing and analyzing data, but it can also be used for automating tasks, such as inserting the current date and time into a cell.

This can be useful for tracking changes, creating timestamps, and more.

In this article, we will go over the different ways to insert the current date and time in Google Sheets and how to use them effectively.

Using The NOW() Function

The simplest way to insert the current date and time in Google Sheets is by using the NOW() function.

This function returns the current date and time as a serial number, which can then be formatted as a date or time.

To use the NOW() function, simply type =NOW() into a cell and press enter.

The current date and time will be inserted into the cell.

Formatting The Date And Time

After inserting the current date and time into a cell using the NOW() function, it can be formatted to display as a specific date or time format.

To do this, select the cell containing the current date and time, click the “Format” menu, and select “Number.” From there, select the desired date or time format.

Updating The Date And Time Automatically

By default, the current date and time inserted into a cell using the NOW() function will not update automatically.

To make it update automatically, you will need to use the “Autofill” feature.

To do this, select the cell containing the current date and time and drag the blue box in the bottom right corner of the cell to the desired number of cells.

The current date and time will be inserted into all of the selected cells and will update automatically.

Using The Current Date And Time In Formulas

You can also use the current date and time in formulas by referencing the cell where the NOW() function is used.

For example, you can use the current date and time to calculate the number of days between two dates, or to calculate the time elapsed between two times.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the NOW() function in Google Sheets is a useful tool for automating tasks and tracking changes by inserting the current date and time into a cell.

This can be easily formatted and used in formulas to automate and streamline your workflow.

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