Function 14: NOW()

📘 Definition:

The NOW() function returns the current date and time based on your computer’s system clock.
It’s a volatile function, meaning it updates automatically whenever the sheet recalculates or reopens.

In India, this is widely used for:

• Recording real-time entry timestamps

• Tracking system login/logout times

• Automating invoice creation or stock entry dates

• Adding last updated information in dashboards

🧩 Syntax:  =NOW()


(No arguments required)

🧠 Example (Indian Perspective):

✅ Explanation:

• The date and time will automatically change to the current system time whenever the workbook recalculates.

• It shows both date and time by default.

🪜 Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. In any cell, type =NOW()

2. Press Enter → You’ll instantly see your current date & time (as per computer clock).

3. You can format it as:

   • Date only: =TEXT(NOW(),"dd-mmm-yyyy")

   • Time only: =TEXT(NOW(),"hh:mm AM/PM")

4. To freeze the current time (so it doesn’t change), copy the cell → Paste Values.

💡 Tip:

To get only the current date (without time), use the TODAY() function (we’ll cover it soon).

You can also calculate time differences like this:

👉 This will return how many days (and fractions of days) have passed since the date in A2.

🎯 Why It’s Useful:

• Keeps your reports time-stamped automatically

• Perfect for attendance, log systems, order entry, or real-time dashboards

• Great for marking submission times in educational systems or ticket generation in support systems.

🧑‍💻 Project Task 1: Attendance Timestamp Tracker

👉 Tasks:

1. When an employee logs in, record =NOW() in Login Time.

2. When they log out, again use =NOW() in Logout Time.

3. Calculate total working hours:

    

   =(D2 - C2) * 24


   (Multiply by 24 to convert days to hours.)

4. Format cells properly for Time: hh:mm:ss AM/PM

Bonus Tip:
Use keyboard shortcut Ctrl + ; for current date and Ctrl + Shift + ; for current time.

🧑‍💻 Project Task 2: Real-Time Order Tracking Dashboard

👉 Tasks:

1. Record order received time using =NOW().

2. Record dispatch time later with =NOW().

3. Calculate delivery duration:

    

   =(D2 - C2)*24


4. Use conditional formatting to highlight orders dispatched after 3 hours.