If you’re like most people, you probably have to enter the current date into Excel on a regular basis. Whether you’re tracking data over time or just need to know what day it is, manually entering the date can be a pain. Fortunately, there’s a quick and easy way to create a shortcut to today’s date in Excel so that you can insert it with just a few clicks.
To create a shortcut to today’s date in Excel, first open up a new workbook. Then, click on the cell where you want to insert the date and type =TODAY(). This function will insert the current date into the cell. You can then format the cell to display the date in the format that you want. For example, if you want the date to appear as mm/dd/yyyy, you would select the cell and then click on the “Number” tab in the “Format Cells” dialog box. Then, select “Custom” from the list of options and type in mm/dd/yyyy in the box next to it. Click “OK” to apply the changes.
Now, every time you want to insert the current date into a cell, all you have to do is click on the cell and type =TODAY(). The date will be inserted automatically. This can save you a lot of time if you have to enter the date frequently.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using this shortcut. First, the date will only be updated when the workbook is opened. So, if you leave the workbook open for a week and then come back to it, the date will still be the same. If you need the date to be updated every time the workbook is opened, you can use the =NOW() function instead. This function will insert the current date and time into the cell, and the date will be updated every time the workbook is opened.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the date format will be based on the regional settings on your computer. So, if you’re in the United States, the date will be displayed as mm/dd/yyyy. But if you’re in another country, the date format will be different. For example, in the United Kingdom, the date format is dd/mm/yyyy. So, if you’re sharing a workbook with someone in another country, you may want to specify the date format that you want to use to avoid any confusion.
You can also use the =TODAY() function to insert the date into a formula. For example, if you’re tracking how many days it’s been since a certain event, you could use the following formula: =TODAY()-date of event. This would give you the number of days that have passed since the event occurred. You can also use the =TODAY() function in other formulas to calculate things like the number of days until a certain date or the number of days that have passed since a certain date.
Overall, the =TODAY() function is a great way to quickly insert the current date into a cell in Excel. It’s easy to use and can save you a lot of time if you have to enter the date frequently. Just keep in mind that the date will only be updated when the workbook is opened, and the date format will be based on your computer’s regional settings.
Excel is a powerful tool that can help you manage and analyze data with ease. However, it can be time-consuming to perform certain tasks, such as entering today’s date into a cell. Fortunately, Excel offers a variety of shortcuts that can help you save time and increase your productivity. In this article, we’ll show you how to create a shortcut to today’s date in Excel.
Using the TODAY Function
The easiest way to enter today’s date into a cell is to use the TODAY function. This function returns the current date, which is updated every time you open the workbook. To use the TODAY function, follow these steps:
Step 1: Select the Cell
Click on the cell where you want to enter today’s date.
Step 2: Type the Formula
Type the following formula into the cell:
=TODAY()
Press Enter to complete the formula. The cell will now display today’s date.
Step 3: Format the Cell
If you want to change the format of the date, select the cell and click on the Home tab. In the Number group, click on the drop-down arrow next to the Number Format box and select the format you want.
Creating a Shortcut Key
If you frequently need to enter today’s date into a cell, you can create a shortcut key to automate the process. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the Macros Dialog Box
Click on the Developer tab and select Macros from the Code group. Alternatively, you can press Alt + F8 to open the Macros dialog box.
Step 2: Create a New Macro
Click on the New button to create a new macro. In the Macro name box, type a name for the macro, such as “Today’s Date”.
Step 3: Type the Code
Type the following code into the code window:
ActiveCell.Value = Date
This code sets the value of the active cell to the current date.
Step 4: Assign a Shortcut Key
Click on the Options button to assign a shortcut key to the macro. In the Shortcut key box, type a letter or number that you want to use as the shortcut key. For example, you can use “Ctrl + D”.
Step 5: Save the Macro
Click on the Save button to save the macro. You can now use the shortcut key to enter today’s date into any cell.
Conclusion
Excel offers a variety of shortcuts that can help you save time and increase your productivity. By using the TODAY function or creating a shortcut key, you can quickly enter today’s date into a cell without having to type the formula every time. Try these shortcuts today and see how much time you can save!
