How to retrieve date and time from computer in Excel?

When you edit a sheet, you may want to retrieve the current date and time from the computer to the cell. Actually, there are some easy ways that can quickly insert the current time and date in the cell in Excel, please go down for the details.

Retrieve date and time by shortcut key

Retrieve date and time by formula

Retrieve date and time by Insert Workbook Information

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Retrieve date and time by shortcut key

Here are some shortcuts for inserting current date and time in Windows and Mac systems.

In Windows systems

To insert current date, press

Ctrl + ;

To insert current time, press

Shift + Ctrl +;

To insert current date and current time,

Press Ctrl + ; first, then press Shift + Ctrl +;

In Mac system

To insert current date, press

Ctrl +;

To insert current time, press

Command + ;

To insert current date and time,

Press Ctrl +; first, then press Command +;

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Retrieve date and time by formula

If you want to automatically update the insert date and time in Excel cell, you can apply formulas to insert current date and time.

Insert current date

Select a blank cell, type this formula =TODAY(), and press Enter key to get the current date.

Insert current date and time

Select a blank cell, type this formula =NOW(), and press Enter key to get the current date and time. See screenshot:

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Retrieve date and time by Insert Workbook Information

If you want to retrieve date and time in a cell, a header or a footer, you can apply Kutools for Excel’s Insert Workbook Information utility to quickly insert information about workbook and sheet.

1. Click Kutools Plus > Workbook > Insert Workbook Information, see screenshot:

2. In the Insert Workbook Information dialog, check the Current date and time option or other information in the Information section as you need, specify the location you want to insert at in the Insert at section. See screenshot:

3. Click Ok. Then the workbook information has been inserted.

  Demo