Overdue flag
| A | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Due date |
| 2 | 1/15/2020 |
Formula: C1: =IF(A2<TODAY(),"Overdue","Open")
Result: Overdue
A due date in the past compares smaller than TODAY().
Google Sheets function
TODAY in Google Sheets
TODAY follows the time zone of the spreadsheet (File, Settings), not the time zone of the person who opens it.
Syntax (same in Google Sheets)
TODAY()The date refreshes when the file recalculates, according to the Calculation setting in the same dialog.
For a fuller explanation of the arguments and common errors, see the TODAY Excel guide.
Worked examples in Google Sheets
Has five years passed?
| A | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hire date |
| 2 | 1/1/2000 |
Formula: C1: =DATEDIF(A2,TODAY(),"y")>=5
Result: TRUE
DATEDIF returns completed years between the hire date and today.
Is this month still running?
| A | |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Formula: A1: =EOMONTH(TODAY(),0)>=TODAY()
Result: TRUE
The last day of the current month is never before today.
Try it
A tiny spreadsheet with example data. Edit the formula or any number and see the result.
Formula in F2: =TODAY()
| A | B | C | D | E | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Start | End | Holiday | Time | Result | |
| 2 | 3/15/2026 | 6/20/2026 | 5/1/2026 | 14:45 | 10/29/2026 | |
| 3 | 1/31/2026 | 2/28/2026 | 5/9/2026 | 09:30 | ||
| 4 | 12/24/2025 | 1/9/2026 |
Result in F2: 10/29/2026
Frequently asked questions
- Why does TODAY show a different day in Google Sheets for a colleague?
- It does not by itself: the spreadsheet’s own time zone decides the date. Check File, Settings, General, Time zone, and keep it the same for everyone who relies on the date.
Google Sheets is used here only as a descriptive product name. FormulaCamp is not affiliated with Google.