NOW function
Returns the serial number of the current date and time. If the cell format was General before the function was entered, Excel changes the cell format so that it matches the date and time format of your regional settings. You can change the date and time format for the cell by using the commands in the Number group of the Home tab on the Ribbon.
Syntax
NOW()Square brackets indicate optional arguments.
Arguments
| Argument | Required | Meaning |
|---|
This function takes no arguments.
Try NOW
Read the local date and time when calculation runs
=NOW()NOW returns a local date/time serial: the whole-number part is the date and the fraction is the time of day. It refreshes on calculation rather than ticking every second. This worksheet checks its calculation window to whole-second precision. Recalculate after leaving the page open to get a fresh timestamp.
Checks for this calculation:
- G2: The local date/time during this calculation, to whole-second precision.
Output: 1 rows × 1 columns. Keep NOW in the formula for this exercise. The check applies to this calculation's output.
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NOW · top-level call
=NOW()This call has no written arguments.
NOW reference ↗Follow the cells behind a result
Read explicit local references and helper formulas using a separate calculation. Your draft stays in this field; the worksheet and practice checks do not change.
The worksheet runs locally. Published checks apply to the supplied example only. Native Excel and Google Sheets compatibility remain unverified.
Reference and compatibility
Univer 1.0.4 / Apache-2.0. Calculation checks cover the supplied examples only. The browser worksheet does not implement every Excel feature, external service or connected data type.