How can you quickly insert the current date into a cell in Excel?

To quickly insert the current date into a cell in Excel, using the keyboard shortcut of pressing Ctrl + ; (semicolon) is the correct method. This shortcut effectively inputs the system's current date into the selected cell, streamlining data entry and saving time during spreadsheet management.

The Ctrl + ; command pulls the date from your computer's system settings, ensuring that it is instantaneously accurate and reflects the current day. This is particularly useful for documentation or tracking dates in various contexts, such as project timelines or record-keeping.

Other options mentioned do not achieve the same result. For instance, Ctrl + D is used to fill down from the cell directly above, which does not insert a date but rather replicates data. Shift + ; results in inserting the current time instead of the date. Alt + D is not a recognized shortcut for inserting the date, which can lead to confusion or errors in data entry. Therefore, Ctrl + ; is the most efficient and appropriate choice for inserting the current date in Excel.