By Marlo Anderson – The Tech Ranch
If you keep an expense log, a timesheet or any running list in a spreadsheet, you type today’s date a lot. Skip it. Click a cell and press Ctrl + ; (semicolon), and today’s date drops right in.
The Shortcut
- Ctrl + ; inserts today’s date in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel
- Mac: ⌘ + ; in Google Sheets, Control + ; in Excel for Mac
Why Not Use =TODAY()?
The =TODAY() formula always shows the current date, so it changes every day you open the file. Ctrl + ; types the date as a fixed value. It stays put, which is exactly what you want in a log.
Bonus Tip: Stamp the Time with Ctrl + Shift + ;
Press Ctrl + Shift + ; to insert the current time. On a Mac, use ⌘ + Shift + ; in Google Sheets or ⌘ + ; in Excel for Mac. It’s perfect for logs and timesheets.
More Keyboard Shortcuts, Explained
This is part of my Keyboard Shortcuts Explained series: quick, plain-English tips that make everyday computer work faster. Watch the whole series on YouTube and subscribe to The Tech Ranch so you don’t miss the next one.
Got a shortcut you can’t live without? Tell me in the YouTube comments and it might show up in a future video.
