USE THE NOW FUNCTION TO SHOW THE CURRENT TIME USING MICROSOFT EXCEL

The previous tip described how to get the current date. Now we want to determine the current time in microsoft excel. The NOW function in Microsoft Excel returns the serial number of the current date and time. Microsoft Excel stores dates as sequential numbers so they can be used in calculations. By default, January 1, 1900, is number 1, and January 1, 2006, is number 38718 because it is 38,717 days after January 1, 1900. Numbers to the right of the decimal point in the number represent the time; numbers to the left represent the date. For example, the serial number .5 represents the time 12:00 noon. The NOW() function is not updated continuously.

To show the current time:

1. In cell A1 type the formula =NOW() and press <-Enter->.
2. Ensure that cell A1 is selected and choose Cells from the Format menu.
3. In the Number tab, select Date under Category.
4. Select the format 3/14/01 1:30 PM.
5. Press <-Enter->

USE THE NOW FUNCTION TO SHOW THE CURRENT TIME USING MICROSOFT EXCEL