Excel Function NOW
Microsoft Excel “NOW” function is used to get the current Date and Time. It is very useful function and can be used in many ways. “NOW Function” does not have any argument that makes this easy to apply and implement.
Function will output in Date format, however if output is not as per the desired date format, then we need to change the cell format to “DATE”. We will be discussing the steps that how we can change the cell format to Date in detail.
Date and Time derived from NOW function changes each time worksheet is refreshed/ edited/open/changed. So, ensure to Paste special values the formula output so that database is not changed. We will also discuss in below now we can Paste special values.
Advantage of Excel Function NOW
“NOW” function is very advantageous in many ways. It helps for the document where current Date and Time details are required in more often. Applying current Date and Time manually (one by one) to document is very difficult and “NOW function” helps to apply the function in large database at once and makes the work easy, saves time and increases efficiency.
Where Excel function NOW function can be used:
“NOW function” is very useful and can be used in many situations. Like it can be used as follows:
– Document where Date/Time stamps are required more often.
– Preparing time and motion study for the employees to evaluate time consumed
– Employees utilization or productivity, attendance tracker
– Or any other database where there is requirement of current Date and Time stamps, “NOW function” can be used
“NOW” Syntax:
=NOW()
Syntax Description:
There are no arguments for “NOW” function. Just apply the function and click “Enter”. It will show the current Date and Time.
Example 1: Apply “NOW Function”, also change the Date format to DATE + TIME
If output of the function is not as per the above (i.e. DATE + TIME Format), then we need to change the cell format. Follow below steps to change the format of the cell:
Step 1: Select the Cell or Data Range
Step 2: Press Ctrl + 1 to open “Format Cells” option
Step 3: Select the option as per below i.e. Date -> 3/14/2012 01:30 PM
Step 4: Click to “OK”
This will change the format of the cell to desired format. We can change ANY of the Date or Time format as given in “Format Cell” option.
Things to Remember:
Values derived from NOW function changes each time worksheet is refreshed/ edited/open/changed. So, ensure to Paste special values the formula output so that database is not changed.
Below are the steps for paste special database to values:
– Select the data range -> Go to Menu Bar- > Click to Home-> Click to Copy
Then -> Go to Menu Bar- > Click to Home-> Click Paste Values
Hope you liked. Happy Learning.
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