Tame your computer - timely tips

In her regular series for Cambridge Network members, software training expert Karen Roem offers handy tips to help you 'Tame your computer'. This week she describes how to quickly insert today's date or current time (Excel and Access)...

In trying to improve the quality and effectiveness of our training I always ask delegates to complete an evaluation form. One of the questions is “What is your favourite tip you picked up today?”. Because one of this week’s Access course participants wrote “shortcut for today’s date”  I thought I’d dust off tip 358, as it doesn’t just apply to Excel, but also to Access.

Here’s how:

  1. Press CTRL + ; to enter today's date OR
  2. Press CTRL + SHIFT + ; to enter the current time

If you'd like the date to be updated every time someone opens Excel or Access, you can insert the date as a field.

Here’s how:

  1. Type =Date() in the Field Properties Default Value box in the table design of Access OR
  2. Type =TODAY() or =NOW() in a cell in Excel

With thanks to Kathryn for this week’s tip inspiration.

 

Related tips

Using validation rules to ensure accurate data entry 

Enter the current date and/or time into a worksheet  

Save time entering dates 

Karen Roem offers software training and support through her company Roem Ltd.  Contact her by email (Karen@roem.co.uk) or visit her website at www.roem.co.uk


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