LEFT vs NOW vs TODAY
Compact mode

LEFT vs NOW vs TODAY

Table of content

Basic Classification Comparison

Basic Information Comparison

  • Known For ⭐
    Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function
    LEFT
    • Text Extraction
      LEFT is known for Text Extraction.
    NOW
    • Current Date And Time Retrieval
      NOW is known for Current Date And Time Retrieval.
    TODAY
    • Current Date Return
      TODAY is known for Current Date Return.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    LEFT
    • Often paired with RIGHT
    NOW
    • Updates approximately 86400 times per day
    TODAY
    • Updates even when you don't want it to

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    LEFT
    • The function that discriminates against right-handed people
    NOW
    • The function that never lets you forget you're late
    TODAY
    • The function that never lies about its age

Usage Information Comparison

Technical Details Comparison

  • Input Data Type 📝
    Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters
    LEFT
    NOW
    • Date
      NOW accepts Date as input data. Excel functions for working with dates and time values
    TODAY
    • Date
      TODAY accepts Date as input data. 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
    LEFT
    • Excel 2013
      LEFT is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    • Microsoft 365
      LEFT is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
    • Excel Online
      LEFT is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform
    NOW
    • Excel 2013
      NOW 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
    • Web Excel
      Excel functions available in web-based versions

  • Required Arguments Count 🔢
    Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly
    LEFT
    NOW
      ~
    TODAY
      ~

  • Required Arguments Type 📊
    The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function
    LEFT
    • Text
      LEFT accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    • Number
      LEFT accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    NOW
    • Date
      NOW accepts Date as input types Excel functions specialized in processing date and time calculations
    TODAY
    • Date
      TODAY accepts Date as input types Excel functions specialized in processing date and time calculations

Evaluation Comparison

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to LEFT
RIGHT
Known for Extract Rightmost Characters
📈 is more versatile than LEFT
⚙ performs better than LEFT
⭐ is rated higher than LEFT
CONCATENATE
Known for Text Joining
📈 is more versatile than LEFT
⚙ performs better than LEFT
PROPER
Known for Capitalize First Letters
TRIM
Known for Remove Extra Spaces
⚙ performs better than LEFT
⭐ is rated higher than LEFT
SUBSTITUTE
Known for Replace Specific Text
🔢 needs fewer arguments than LEFT
📈 is more versatile than LEFT
⭐ is rated higher than LEFT
MID
Known for Extracting Text Segments
🔢 needs fewer arguments than LEFT
UPPER
Known for Converting Text To Uppercase
⚙ performs better than LEFT
EXACT
Known for Case-Sensitive Comparison
⚙ performs better than LEFT
LEN
Known for Character Count Calculation
⚙ performs better than LEFT
FIND
Known for Text Search And Position Finding
📈 is more versatile than LEFT