Today Function in Excel

Posted on:  01/20/2021
Today Function in Excel

The TODAY function returns the current date. The TODAY function is updated continuously when a worksheet is opened. For example: if you use the TODAY function in cell B1, it will show today's date. Assume that today is 12/21/2021. Tomorrow, it will have the correct date of 12/22/2021.

This video will use the TODAY function with an accounting exercise and an HR exercise. I'll also demonstrate Averageif, Countif, and other functions I use with the Today function.

YouTube Video on the TODAY function

Arguments for TODAY function

The TODAY function takes no arguments.=TODAY() Notice there is nothing between the parentheses. There are other functions with no arguments. Another popular date and time function is the NOW function. =NOW() which returns the date and time is continuously updated.

Functions with one argument

Some functions use one argument, or where one input is needed. Examples of functions using one argument include Sum, Max, Min, Median, and Average.

Examples of functions with one argument

  • =Sum(B2:B12)
  • =Average(B2:B12)
  • =Median(B2:B12)
  • =Max(B2:B12)

Functions with multiple arguments

Some functions have multiple arguments where multiple input is needed. You get a new argument when you add a comma in the function. Excel functions that require multiple arguments.

Examples of functions with multiple arguments

  • =COUNTIF(B2:B15,"GA") Finds people that live in GA in states are listed in column B.
  • =LARGE(C2:C15,2) Finds the 2nd largest number
  • =LARGE(C2:C15,3) Finds the 3rd largest number
  • =SMALL(C2:C15,2) Finds the 2nd smallest number
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Functions used in video

Average Function

Returns the average (arithmetic mean) of the arguments. For example, if the range A1:A20 contains numbers, the formula =AVERAGE(A1:A20) returns the average of those numbers.

Averageif Function

Returns the average (arithmetic mean) of all the cells in a range that meet a given criteria.

Countif

Use COUNTIF, one of the statistical functions, to count the number of cells that meet a criterion; for example, to count the number of times a particular city appears in a customer list.

DateDif

Calculates the number of days, months, or years between two dates.

Chris Menard

Chris Menard is a Microsoft Trainer (MCT) and works as a full-time Trainer at BakerHostetler - one of the largest law firms in the US. Chris runs a YouTube channel with 900+ technology videos that cover various tools such as Excel, Word, Zoom, Teams, Gmail, Copilot, Google Calendar, and Outlook. To date, the channel has helped over 20 million viewers. Menard also does 2 to 3 public speaking events yearly, presenting at the Administrative Professional Conference (APC), the EA Ignite Conference, the University of Georgia, and CPA conferences. You can connect with him on LinkedIn at https://chrismenardtraining.com/linkedin or watch his videos on YouTube at https://chrismenardtraining.com/youtube.

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