# NOW

Spread for WinForms provides advanced software components that support Excel import/export, full cell customization, an extensive calculation engine with over 450 functions and more, all with zero dependencies on Excel.

## Content

This function is used to determine the current date and time. It returns a serial number that represents the current date and time in Excel. The results are updated each time a worksheet is opened or refreshed.

## Syntax

NOW()

## Arguments

This function does not accept arguments.

## Remarks

This function is updated only when the spreadsheet or cell containing the function is recalculated. This is a volatile function with version 2.5 or later.

## Data Types

Does not accept data. Returns a numeric value.

## Examples

If it is 04:50:00 P.M. , February 14, 2019, then:
`NOW()` gives the result 43510.70174

## Version Available

This function is available in product version 1.0 or later. This function is a volatile function in version 2.5 or later. 

> !type=note
> **Note:** If a user uses LegacyBehaviors.CalculationEngine, the NOW function will return the DateTime object instead of the serial numeric value. .

## See Also

[DATEVALUE](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-formula/formulas-functionsall/formulas-functsDtoG/FunctionDATEVALUE) \| [TIME](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-formula/formulas-functionsall/formulas-functsTtoZ/FunctionTIME) \| [Date and Time Functions](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-formula/formulas-overview/formulas-functs/formulas-functtypes/formulas-functsdatetime)