To insert the time and date in an Excel cell, you just have to enter the formula “= NOW () ” in the cell of your choice and press “Enter”. You will see that both the date and the time indicated by the computer will be added.
How to Insert Time and Date Into An Excel cell
In fact, if you update the spreadsheet, this data will also be updated automatically. In case you need a static date or time, you just have to press the keys “ Ctrl +; (semicolon) ”, space,“ Ctrl + Shift +. (period) “.
Inserting the time and date into a spreadsheet in Excel works to record a control and have a better organization within the embedded data.
According to the objective of the books, these formulas can be used to formalize an inventory or observe the difference between dates.
In view of this, this article will mention the methods available to insert this type of information in Excel cells from Windows, Mac or its web version.
From Windows
Windows is one of the most widely used Operating Systems worldwide, so it is necessary to begin to explain the procedures with this format. Next, the steps to follow to include both a static and dynamic date and time, that is, with updates, will be detailed.
Insert static date and time
The dates and times in Excel static reference data or values that will remain in the cell and will not be changed when upgrading or open the spreadsheet. Therefore, it has the name of fixed or static. To insert this type of data, you just have to follow these steps:
- Position yourself in the cell where you want to insert the information.
- Press “ Ctrl +; (semicolon) ”to add the current date.
- Press “ Ctrl + Shift or Shift +. (period) “. This way, you will add the current time.
- Press “Ctrl +; (semicolon) ”, space,“ Ctrl + Shift +. (period) ” to enter current date and time.
Note: If you want to modify the date or time format, right click on the cell and choose the option ” Format cells “. In the “Type” list, click on ” Date ” or ” Time ” and choose the format you like. To finish, press “Accept” or “Enter.”
Add updated date and time
If you want the date and time to be updated when opening the Excel sheet or when updating the spreadsheet, then you must use the “TODAY” and “NOW ” functions. If you want to add the current date, enter the formula “= TODAY ()” in the cell and press “Enter.”
Now, if you want to insert current date and time, enter “= NOW () ” and press “Enter” to observe the data. In this way, the data will be dynamic, that is, it will be updated when the document is opened or when the spreadsheet is updated. It should be noted that cells with these formulas are not constantly updated.
Note: If you want to see the formulas instead of the results obtained, go to the ” Formulas ” tab and press the ” Show formulas ” option.
From Mac
Mac is another Operating System that also has a large number of users. Its interface has certain changes compared to Windows, therefore, it is necessary to explain how Excel formulas work for this type of equipment.
Insert fixed date and time
If you want to add a fixed date and time in Excel from Mac, you just have to follow the steps that will be detailed below:
- Select a cell within the spreadsheet.
- Enter “ Ctrl + Shift or Shift +. (period) ”to enter the current time.
- Press the Mac command key “ Command+; (semicolon) ” to add the current date.
- To insert the current date and time, press “ Ctrl +; (semicolon) “. Then, press the space bar and touch the command button “ Command+; (semicolon) “.
Insert dynamic date and time
The dates and times are those dynamics are updated by updates the worksheet or when a macro is run with these formulas contain. To incorporate these functions, you must do the same steps that have been explained for Windows.
That is, enter the function ” = TODAY () ” in a cell if you want to insert the current date. In case you want to add both the date and the current time, enter “ = NOW () ” and press “Enter”.
From the web version
In case you are working on an Excel book from the web version that this program offers, you must take into account certain aspects that will change when entering both dates and times, either in a fixed or dynamic way.
Add static date and time
Before starting with the procedures, it is worth mentioning that it is essential to have an Outlook or Hotmail account to be able to access the web version of Excel. That said, you must follow these steps to insert the time and date in Excel from the web version :
- Enter the Excel website through this link.
- Log in by entering your email and password.
- Press ” New blank book “.
- Choose an Excel cell.
- Write the date without the year, for example: 4/15.
- Now, go to the ” Home ” tab, in the ” Number ” section and click on the ” Number Format ” drop–down list.
- Choose ” Short date ” or ” Long date .”
- To add the time, enter the hour and minute (for example 8:25) and go to ” Home> Number> Number format> Time “.
Enter a date and time that is updated
To add a dynamic time and date in Excel from the web version, you only have to use the functions mentioned above, that is, “ = TODAY () ” and “= NOW () ”. Use each formula according to the objectives or criteria that you want to insert in the spreadsheet.
As you have seen, you have different alternatives to insert time and date in an Excel cell. You can use the functions “TODAY” and “NOW” that are universal for any Operating System or use the options that have been mentioned to keep the data fixed.