Guide to inserting current time into Google Sheets

One of the standout features of Google Sheets is its ability to allow users to insert the current time into spreadsheets. With the two popular functions NOW and TODAY, you can insert either the date, time, or both into the spreadsheet.

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Guide to inserting current time into Google Sheets

Method 1: Inserting current date and time into Google Sheets with the NOW function

This function is used to insert the current time into a Google Sheets spreadsheet, or you can also utilize it to combine with another function to insert date and time.

The syntax of the NOW function is as follows:

=NOW()

To insert the current date and time into Google Sheets using the NOW function, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Firstly, open the Google Sheet spreadsheet where you want to insert the current time.
Step 2: Find and click on the cell where you want to display the date and time.
Step 3: Enter the =NOW() function into it, then press Enter.

Step 4: After entering the above function, the current time will be displayed on the Google Sheets spreadsheet.

Some notes when using the NOW function

Here are some notes to consider when using the NOW function to insert the current time into Sheets spreadsheet:

- The NOW function automatically updates every time the Sheets spreadsheet updates. While users can customize updates every minute / every hour by selecting the options On change and every minute / On change and every hour, they cannot turn off the auto-update feature of the NOW function.

- The date and time displayed when using the NOW function is the real-time at the current moment after each automatic update by the NOW function, not the time of initial data entry.

- The time displayed in the Sheets spreadsheet is the real-time at the current moment after each automatic update by the NOW function, not the time of initial data entry.

- Users can customize to hide the date or time.

Method 2: Inserting current date into Google Sheets with the TODAY function

If you only want to insert the current date without displaying the time, you can consider using the TODAY function. Depending on your settings, the date will be displayed according to the DD/MM/YY (day/month/year) or MM/YY/DD (month/year/day) format.

To begin, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select the cell in the Sheets spreadsheet where you want to insert the current date.|
Step 2: Enter the =TODAY() function into it and then press Enter.

Step 3: Similarly, the function will display the current date and these values will be automatically updated.

Method 3: Formatting the display time

By default, the NOW function displays the date and time stamp on the Google Sheets spreadsheet. To customize, follow the steps below:

Note: the steps for using the TODAY function are also similar.

Step 1: Select the cell containing the NOW (or TODAY) function formula.
Step 2: Next, click on Format in the spreadsheet toolbar.
Step 3: Then click on Number from the displayed list on the screen.

Step 4: Choose Time to display only the current time without showing the date, or Date to display the date without showing the time.

Additionally, if desired, you can also modify the format of the NOW or TODAY function from the Format menu. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Select the cell/range of cells you want to customize.
Step 2: Then click on Format => Number and select Custom Date and Time. This action opens a new dialog box.

Step 3: Here you can choose from various formats.

After selecting any format you want, click on the Apply button located in the top right corner of the dialog box to apply the format.

Whether you're a finance expert, data analyst, or simply someone who regularly works with spreadsheets, these simple steps will help you avoid confusion when inserting time into Google Sheets.

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