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NOW

The NOW function in Google Sheets returns the current date and time, updated in real-time. This function is commonly used to create timestamps for data entry or to track changes made to a sheet.

Usage

Use the NOW formula with the syntax shown below:

=NOW()

Examples

Here are a few example use cases that explain how to use the NOW formula in Google Sheets.

Timestamping data entry

By using the NOW function in a cell, you can create a timestamp that will automatically update whenever the sheet is opened or changed. This is useful for tracking when data was entered or updated.

Tracking changes made to a sheet

By using the NOW function in combination with other functions like IF and VLOOKUP, you can create a log that tracks changes made to a sheet and the time they were made.

Common Mistakes

NOW not working? Here are some common mistakes people make when using the NOW Google Sheets Formula:

Incorrect syntax

Users often forget the parentheses after NOW, resulting in an error. Make sure to include the parentheses in the formula.

Timezone issues

If your spreadsheet is set to a different timezone than your current location, the NOW formula may not return the correct time. You can adjust the timezone in the spreadsheet settings or use the NOW formula in combination with the timezone formula to ensure accurate results.

Formatting issues

The NOW formula returns a date and time value that may need to be formatted in a specific way. Users may forget to format the cell or apply the wrong format, resulting in incorrect display of the value. Make sure to format the cell correctly to display the desired date and time format.

Related Formulas

The following functions are similar to NOW or are often used with it in a formula:

  • TODAY

    The TODAY function returns the current date in the default timezone of the spreadsheet. The date is updated each time the spreadsheet is opened. This function is commonly used to calculate the current age or to track the number of days since a certain event, among other things.

  • DATE

    The DATE formula is used to create a date object in Google Sheets. It takes three arguments: year, month, and day and returns a date. This formula is useful when you need to perform date calculations or create date-based charts and graphs.

  • TIME

    The TIME function takes in three arguments: hour, minute, and second, and returns a time value. This function is commonly used in combination with other functions to perform time-related calculations.

  • NOW

    The NOW function in Google Sheets returns the current date and time, updated in real-time. This function is commonly used to create timestamps for data entry or to track changes made to a sheet.

  • IF

    The IF formula is a logical function used to test a condition and return one value if the condition is true and another value if the condition is false. It is commonly used to create conditional statements and perform calculations based on certain conditions.

Learn More

You can learn more about the NOW Google Sheets function on Google Support.