Excel: NOW Returns #NUM! or TODAY Returns an Incorrect Result

Last reviewed: November 4, 1994
Article ID: Q80088

SUMMARY

The NOW function returns the #NUM! error and the TODAY function produces incorrect results in Microsoft Excel if your computer's built-in clock is set to a date outside Excel's date range of January 1, 1900 to December 31, 2078.

MORE INFORMATION

The NOW function returns the serial number of the current date and time and the TODAY function returns the serial number of the current date. The "current" date and time are determined by your computer's built-in clock. If you receive the #NUM! error when using the NOW function, or the TODAY function returns an incorrect serial number, change your computer's internal clock to an appropriate date within the limits of Microsoft Excel's date range.

If you are using Windows 3.0, it is necessary to set the date at the MS-DOS level. In the Windows 3.0 Control Panel, the Date/Time setting only displays the last two digits of a given year. It is therefore possible that the Control Panel's clock displays a date that appears correct but is actually set to the wrong century.

Note that the TODAY function is only available in Excel version 3.0.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel Function Reference," version 3.0, pages 161, 237

"Microsoft Excel User's Guide," version 3.0, page 95


KBCategory: kbother
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 2.10 2.10c 2.10d 3.00 2.20 2.21 2.1 2.1c
2.1d 2.2


THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 4, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.