today() function change dynamically in sheet

Yashwant Singh

Using today() function in sheet, so date will change dynamically or when we access sheet then it will change..

For example, if someone took the above actions on Apr 3rd and then no one takes above actions in Apr 4~ Apr 6th, then the today will remain as Apr 3rd.

Paul Newcome

Your statement is mostly correct. Do you have a question?

The TODAY() function will only update when a sheet is activated. Activating a sheet can be done by opening it, submitting a form, update, or approval request, and a few other types of ways.

Yashwant Singh

it means if any activity (add /delete data) perform in sheet, it will be activate and today() will work...please explain..

thanks for your response..

Paul Newcome

I'm not sure what more there is to explain... If the sheet becomes active, it will update the TODAY() function to whatever date the sheet was last activated.

Yashwant Singh

ok.. thanks Paul.....

KathyBurger

I am using the today formula to set a date when a decision is made. However, I don't want that date to change when the sheet is activated later. What is the best way to handle setting a date once and not changing it again. Here is an example of my formula.

Paul Newcome

@KathyBurger You have a few options. The most obvious (and most simple) one would be manual entry of the date. Other options include using a 3rd party app such as Zapier or the API. And finally the last option I can think of is to use a Copy Row automation to copy the row to the sheet to capture the Modified (date) column data then using a formula containing cross sheet references to pull that date.