1
Ctrl + ;Enter today's dateQuickly insert an update date or response date.
date inputtime inputCtrl+;
Instantly Enter Today's Date and Time with Ctrl+;
Typing today's date by hand introduces more errors than you might expect. Learning Ctrl+; and Ctrl+Shift+; improves both speed and accuracy.
Shortcuts you will master in this article
Ctrl + ; / Ctrl + Shift + ; / Ctrl + Shift + 3
Manual date and time entry is slow and error-prone
Typing update dates, receipt dates, and inquiry timestamps by hand leads to inconsistencies such as missing zero-padding or varying separators.
Shortcut entry inserts the exact current date or time on the spot, making it a natural fit for log-style tables.
When to use date versus time input
Date and time use separate shortcuts, so learning them as a pair is the efficient approach.
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Ctrl + Shift + ;Enter the current timeRecord an inquiry time or task start time.
3
Ctrl + Shift + 3Clean up the date displayAfter inserting a date, standardizing the format across the column makes the document look polished.
4
Ctrl + 1Fine-tune the date and time appearanceOpen Format Cells for detailed control, such as combining date and time in one cell.
Excel Shortcut Practice
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Reading alone won't make them stick. Use KeyboardGym's Excel practice mode to actually type the shortcuts from this article and build lasting muscle memory.
Tasks where date and time shortcuts are most useful
Especially convenient for inquiry management logs, progress tracking, and receipt registers.
Best suited for 'locking in the exact moment as a static value.'
When auto-updating values are needed instead, use TODAY or NOW and understand the difference.
Related Shortcuts
Visit each shortcut detail page to see key positions and usage tips.
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + ; | Insert Current Date |
Ctrl + : | Insert Current Time |
Ctrl + Shift + 3 | Apply Date Format |
Ctrl + 1 | Format Cells Dialog |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the difference from the TODAY and NOW functions?
A. Shortcuts insert a static value that does not change; functions recalculate on every update.
Q. Are there cases where entering time alone is useful?
A. Yes — receipt time, response start time, and other log entries frequently need only the time.
Q. The date is displaying as a number.
A. The number format may not be set to a date format. Use Ctrl+Shift+3 or Ctrl+1 to fix it.
Q. How do I memorize Excel shortcuts faster?
A. Reading alone won't make them stick. Use KeyboardGym's Excel practice mode to actually type the keys and switch between difficulty, category, and review practice for faster retention.