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	Function Wizard Functions

NOW

Description: Returns the current date and time in the form of a serial number.

Syntax: NOW( )

Remarks:

• The software stores dates as sequential serial numbers so they can be used in calculations. January 1, 1900 is serial number 1, and January 1, 2011 is serial number 40544 because it is 40,544 days after January 1, 1900.

The software stores times as decimal fractions because time is considered a portion of a day.

Because dates and times are values, they can be added, subtracted and included in other calculations. You can view a date as a serial value and a time as a decimal fraction by changing the format of the cell that contains the date or time to General format.

Because the rules that govern the way that any calculation program interprets dates are complex, you should be as specific as possible about dates whenever you enter them. This will produce the highest level of accuracy in your date calculations.

• Numbers to the right of the decimal point in the serial number represent the time; numbers to the left represent the date. For example, the serial number .5 represents the time 12:00 noon.

• The NOW function changes only when the worksheet is calculated or when a macro that contains the function is run. It is not updated continuously.

Example:

• If your computer's built-in clock is set to 12:30:00 P.M., 1-Jan-1987, then:

NOW() = 31778.52083

• Ten minutes later:

NOW() = 31778.52778