Objective 4. Use a Date Function

Excel can obtain the date and time from the computer's calendar and clock and display this information on your worksheet.

Activity 3.10. Using the NOW Function

The NOW function retrieves the date and time from your computer's calendar and clock and inserts the information into the selected cell. The result is formatted as a date and time, rather than in the sequential number that Excel uses for dates. This feature is useful to date stamp a worksheet to record when it was last edited.

1.	Click cell A45. On the Formula Bar, click the Insert Function button . In the Insert Function dialog box, click the Or select a category arrow, and then click Date & Time. Under Select a function, scroll down and click NOW, and then click OK. The Function Arguments dialog box displays a message indicating that this function does not require an argument. Notice that it also states that this function is Volatile, meaning the date and time will be updated each time you open this workbook.
2.	In the Function Arguments dialog box, click OK to close the dialog box. The current date and time displays in cell A45.
3.	Display the Page Setup dialog box. On the Page tab, click the Fit to option button. On the Margins tab, center the worksheet Horizontally. On the Header/Footer tab, create a Custom Footer and place the file name in the Left section. Click OK twice to close both dialog boxes.
4.	Save your workbook. Check your Chapter Assignment Sheet or Course Syllabus, or consult your instructor, to determine if you are to submit your assignments on paper or electronically using your college's course information management system. To submit electronically, go to Step 6, and then follow the instructions provided by your instructor.
5.	To print the worksheet, click the Print Preview button . Confirm that the worksheet fits on one page and that the file name displays in the left section of the footer. On the Print Preview toolbar, click Print, and then in the Print dialog box, click OK. If you have been instructed to print the formulas, refer to Chapter One on how to do so.
6.	If you printed your formulas, be sure to redisplay the worksheet by pressing . From the File menu, click Close. Do not save the changes that you made for printing formulas. Close the workbook and Excel.   NoteNow Function Recalculates when File Opens The NOW function places a sequential number in the cell that corresponds to the date and time at the moment. The NOW function updates this number each time the file is opened. If you open a file with the NOW function in it and then close the file, you will see a message that asks if you want to save the changes. The change to which this message refers is the new date that has been inserted by the NOW function. You can force the NOW function to update by pressing .

End

You have completed Project 3B

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