TODAY()
Returns the current date, updated automatically whenever the sheet recalculates.
TODAY()TODAY takes no arguments and always returns the current date according to the system clock. It's volatile — it recalculates every time the workbook opens or anything else forces a recalculation.
Because it changes on its own, avoid it where you need a date to stay fixed, like an invoice date — type or paste that as a static value instead.
Examples
=TODAY()→7/24/2026
Whatever today's date is when the sheet calculates.
=C2<TODAY()→TRUE
A common way to flag overdue dates.