Excel for Mac Keyboard Shortcuts to Enter the Current Date and Time
Question details
The user needs the correct Excel for Mac keyboard shortcuts to insert the current date and current time into a worksheet cell.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- The user is entering date and time values in Excel and wants to use keyboard shortcuts instead of typing them manually.
- Observed behavior
- Pressing Command+; can open Excel Preferences rather than insert the current date because Mac shortcuts differ from Windows and may vary by setup.
Click the worksheet cell where you want the value to appear, then make sure the cell is not in edit mode. Keyboard shortcuts can differ with your Excel version, macOS keyboard settings, and selected keyboard layout.
Use the Excel for Mac shortcuts for the current date and time
Use these shortcuts when you want to insert a fixed current date or time value in the active Excel cell.
These shortcuts insert static values. The date or time will not update automatically after you save, reopen, or recalculate the workbook.
In the Excel worksheet, click the cell where you want to enter the current date or current time.
Press Control+Shift+; to enter the current date in the selected cell.
Press Command+Shift+: to enter the current time in the selected cell.
Press Enter to move to the next cell, or click another cell to keep the inserted date or time value.
Check macOS and Excel shortcut conflicts when Command+; opens Preferences
Use this option if the date shortcut triggers Excel Preferences or performs another command instead of inserting a date.
Insert Current Dates and Times in WPS Spreadsheet for Mac
WPS Spreadsheet provides a familiar spreadsheet workspace for entering dates and times. For values that should update automatically, use the TODAY and NOW functions; then format the cell as a date or time as needed.
- 1. Open the worksheet in WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office, select Spreadsheets, and open your Excel workbook or create a new blank sheet.
- 2. Insert an updating current date: Click a cell, type =TODAY(), and press Enter to show the current date.
- 3. Insert an updating current date and time: Click a cell, type =NOW(), and press Enter to show the current date and time.
- 4. Apply date or time formatting: Select the result cell, go to Home > Number Format, and choose a Date, Time, or Custom format.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Excel for Mac shortcut for today's date?
Select the target cell and press Control+Shift+;. This inserts the current date as a fixed value.
How do I enter the current time in Excel for Mac?
Select a worksheet cell and press Command+Shift+:. The inserted time is static and does not update later.
Why does Command+; open Excel Preferences on my Mac?
Command+; can be assigned to an Excel or macOS command in some versions or configurations. Use Control+Shift+; for the current date and check Excel and macOS keyboard settings for conflicts.
How can I make the date update automatically in Excel for Mac?
Enter =TODAY() in a cell for an updating date, or enter =NOW() for an updating date and time. These functions recalculate when the workbook recalculates.
