NOW vs TODAY vs DAY
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NOW vs TODAY vs DAY

Table of content

Basic Classification Comparison

Basic Information Comparison

  • Known For ⭐
    Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function
    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.
    DAY
    • Day Extraction
      DAY is known for Day Extraction.

History Comparison

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    NOW
    • Updates approximately 86400 times per day
    TODAY
    • Updates even when you don't want it to
    DAY
    • Used billions times daily

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    NOW
    • The function that never lets you forget you're late
    TODAY
    • The function that never lies about its age
    DAY
    • The smallest unit of date functions family

Usage Information Comparison

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
    DAY
    • Excel 2013
      DAY 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
    NOW
      ~
    TODAY
      ~
    DAY

  • 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

Evaluation Comparison

  • Pros ✅
    Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function
    NOW
    • No Arguments Needed
      Excel functions that work without arguments provide quick results with minimal setup
    • Updates Automatically
    TODAY
    • No Arguments Needed
      Excel functions that work without arguments provide quick results with minimal setup
    • Auto-Updates
    DAY
    • Straightforward
      Excel functions that are easy to understand and implement with clear syntax and direct results
    • Reliable

  • Cons ❌
    Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function
    NOW
    • Updates With Every Calculation
    • Can Slow Spreadsheets
    TODAY
    • Updates Only On Calculation
    • Limited Use
    DAY

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to NOW
WEEKDAY
Known for Day Of Week Determination
🔢 needs fewer arguments than NOW
📈 is more versatile than NOW
⚙ performs better than NOW
DAYS
Known for Calculate Days Between Dates
🔢 needs fewer arguments than NOW
⚙ performs better than NOW
WEEKNUM
Known for Week Number Calculation
🔢 needs fewer arguments than NOW
⚙ performs better than NOW
YEAR
Known for Year Extraction
🔢 needs fewer arguments than NOW
⚙ performs better than NOW
🛠 is more reliable than NOW
MONTH
Known for Month Extraction
🔢 needs fewer arguments than NOW
⚙ performs better than NOW
🛠 is more reliable than NOW
COLUMN
Known for Column Number Retrieval
⚙ performs better than NOW
🛠 is more reliable than NOW
⭐ is rated higher than NOW
NETWORKDAYS
Known for Calculate Working Days
🔢 needs fewer arguments than NOW
📈 is more versatile than NOW
ROW
Known for Row Number Retrieval
⚙ performs better than NOW
🛠 is more reliable than NOW
⭐ is rated higher than NOW
LEFT
Known for Text Extraction
🔢 needs fewer arguments than NOW
⚙ performs better than NOW
MOD
Known for Division Remainder Calculations
🔢 needs fewer arguments than NOW
⚙ performs better than NOW