Syntax
NOW()
| Parameter | Description |
|---|
Examples
Show current date and time
Formula
=NOW()
Returns: 2024-03-15 14:30:00 — the current date and time
Hours elapsed since a timestamp
Formula
=(NOW()-A2)*24
Returns: 3.5 — the number of hours that have passed since the timestamp in A2
Extract just the time
Formula
=NOW()-TODAY()
Returns: the current time only (e.g., 2:30 PM) as a time value
Common Errors
Shows a decimal number
The cell is formatted as Number instead of Date/Time. Format it as a date-time format to see readable output.
Tips
Volatile function
NOW() recalculates on every sheet change, which can slow down large spreadsheets. Use sparingly and prefer TODAY() when time is not needed.
Fixed timestamp
NOW() changes every time. For a fixed timestamp, press Ctrl+; (date) or Ctrl+Shift+; (time) instead.
Time zones
NOW() uses your computer's local time. In Google Sheets, it uses the spreadsheet's time zone setting.
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