There are various occasions when we want to add current date and time stamp in a cell in excel automatically. There are few options available do accomplish the task based on the requirement of situation:
Option 1: By using keyboard Shortcut (ctrl+;)
The output will give date without time stamp. This method is helpful if you want to retain the values of date when you open the excel next time. Typical example is when you are using excel sheet as a time sheet for filing your time on day to day basis.
Below are the steps:
1. Click on cell where you want to add current date.
2. Right click on the selected cell and go to “Format Cells” option.
3. Select “Category” as date.
4. Click on “OK” button once you are done with the formatting.
5. Stay on the selected cell which is formatted to accept date field.
6. Press “Ctrl + Semi-Colon Key” on the key board.
7. Congratulations you have done it 🙂
Option 2: By using Excel Function TODAY()
If situation demands you to have current date every time you open your excel, you should use TODAY() function provided by Excel. If you use this function the cell will only populate today’s date and won’t retain previous data which was entered.
Below are the steps:
1. Click on cell where you want to add current date.
2. Right click on the selected cell and go to “Format Cells” option.
3. Select “Category” as date.
4. Click on “OK” button once you are done with the formatting.
5. Stay on the selected cell which is formatted to accept date field.
6. Type “=Today()” and hit enter key.
7. Congratulations you have done it 🙂
Option 3: By using NOW() Function
This is similar to Today() function but will add Time Stamp along with date in the cell.
Below are the steps:
1. Click on cell where you want to add current date.
2. Right click on the selected cell and go to “Format Cells” option.
3. Select “Category” as Custom.
4. Select a data format with Time associated with it.
5. Click on “OK” button once you are done with the formatting.
6. Stay on the selected cell which is formatted to accept custom field.
7. Type “=NOW()” and hit enter key.
8. Congratulations you have done it 🙂
Option 4: By using Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+:
This is similar to TODAY() and NOW() function but will add only Time Stamp in the selected cell.
Below are the steps:
1. Click on cell where you want to add current date.
2. Right click on the selected cell and go to “Format Cells” option.
3. Select “Category” as Time.
4. Click on “OK” button once you are done with the formatting.
5. Stay on the selected cell which is formatted to accept custom field.
6. Type “Ctrl+Shift+:” and hit enter key.
7. Congratulations you have done it 🙂
That’s all I know about inserting the current date time in excel :). Let me know if you have other methods.
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