Excel's date and time functions are essential for project management, scheduling, aging analysis, and time-based calculations. This comprehensive guide covers everything from basic DATE functions to advanced workday calculations.
Understanding Excel Dates and Times
How Excel Stores Dates
Excel stores dates as serial numbers:
January 1, 1900 = 1
January 2, 1900 = 2
Today (varies) = ~45,000+
Time = Decimal portion:
12:00 PM (noon) = 0.5
6:00 AM = 0.25
3:00 PM = 0.625
DateTime: Integer (date) + Decimal (time)
March 15, 2025 3:30 PM = 45899.645833
Essential Date Functions
1. TODAY() and NOW()
TODAY()
Returns current date (updates daily).
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