Typing out today's date by hand is slow, and formulas like =TODAY() bring their own problem: they update every time the file reopens, which is rarely what a log actually needs.
Excel has a shortcut that inserts a fixed date or time on the spot, and never changes again.
Here's the trick:
Ctrl+; drops in today's date, Ctrl+Shift+; drops in the current time — no typing, no formula.
How to use it
- Click the cell where you want a date or time recorded.
- Press Ctrl+; to insert today's date.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+; instead if you want the current time.
- Combine both, in adjacent cells, for a quick fixed timestamp.
Where it helps most
Logging exactly when a row was entered, or timestamping a tracker or form response without a formula that silently changes every time the file is reopened.
One thing to watch for
These shortcuts insert a static value at the moment you press them. Unlike =TODAY() or =NOW(), they won't update later — which is usually exactly the point for a log.
Found a faster way to do this, or a version that works differently on Mac? That's what the comments are for — this section connects to your comment system of choice (Disqus, giscus, etc.) once the site is live.