Compact mode

DATEDIF vs NOW vs DAYS

Table of content

Basic Classification Comparison
Usage Context Comparison
Basic Information Comparison
History Comparison
Facts Comparison

Usage Information Comparison
Technical Details Comparison
Evaluation Comparison
Ratings Comparison

Basic Classification Comparison

Function Category 📊

Primary classification of the Excel function based on its main purpose and usage domain, helps users quickly identify function types

For all*

Date & Time

Excel functions for working with dates and time calculations
Operation Type 🔧

Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputs

DATEDIF

Calculation

DATEDIF performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

NOW

Information

NOW performs Information operations. Functions that focus on retrieving and displaying data in various formats

DAYS

Calculation

DAYS performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

Usage Context Comparison

For whom 👥

Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel function

For all*

Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

DATEDIF

Analysts

DATEDIF is designed for Analysts. Excel functions essential for data analysis and reporting Click to see all.

NOW

Administrative Staff

NOW is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management Click to see all.

DAYS

Project Managers

DAYS is designed for Project Managers. Excel functions helpful for project planning and tracking Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Date Calculations

Functions for working with dates and time calculations

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

DATEDIF

Date Difference Calculations

DATEDIF is known for Date Difference Calculations.

NOW

Current Date And Time Retrieval

NOW is known for Current Date And Time Retrieval.

DAYS

Calculate Days Between Dates

DAYS is known for Calculate Days Between Dates.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

DATEDIF

Excel 97

DATEDIF was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 version Click to see all.

NOW

Excel 2.0

NOW was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release Click to see all.

DAYS

Excel 2013

DAYS was created in Excel 2013. Functions added in the Excel 2013 release Click to see all.
Created By 👤

Organization or team responsible for developing the function

For all*

Microsoft Excel Team

Functions officially created by the Microsoft Excel development team

Facts Comparison

Interesting Fact 💡

Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function

DATEDIF

Not listed in Excel's function wizard

NOW

Updates approximately 86400 times per day

DAYS

Replaced the older DATEDIF for simple calculations
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

DATEDIF

The function Microsoft tried to hide but failed

NOW

The function that never lets you forget you're late

DAYS

Counts days better than a calendar-obsessed squirrel

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectively

DATEDIF

Intermediate

DATEDIF has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks Click to see all.

NOW

Simple

NOW has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks Click to see all.

DAYS

Simple

DAYS has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks Click to see all.

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

For all*

Date

Excel functions for working with dates and time values
Version Compatibility 💻

Indicates which Excel versions and platforms the function is compatible with < including Office 365< Excel 2019< 2016< etc.

For all*

Excel 2019

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version

Excel 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

NOW

Excel 2013

NOW is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

DAYS

Excel 2013

DAYS is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
Operating System 💾

Specifies the operating systems where the function can be used < including Windows< macOS< and web platforms

For all*

Windows

Excel functions optimized for Windows operating system

MacOS

Excel functions optimized for MacOS users

NOW

Web Excel

NOW runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions

DAYS

Web Excel

DAYS runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

DATEDIF

3

DATEDIF needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

NOW

~
DAYS

2

DAYS needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Date

Excel functions specialized in processing date and time calculations

DATEDIF

Text

DATEDIF accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

DATEDIF

Accurate Date Calculations

Multiple Units

NOW

No Arguments Needed

Excel functions that work without arguments provide quick results with minimal setup

Updates Automatically

DAYS

Simple To Use

Accurate Calculations

Intuitive
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

DATEDIF

Hidden Function

Documentation Limitations

NOW

Updates With Every Calculation

Can Slow Spreadsheets

DAYS

Only Works With Dates

Limited Functionality

Functions with restricted capabilities, reducing problem-solving options Click to see all.