Which function returns the current date in Excel?

The function that returns the current date in Excel is the TODAY() function. This function is specifically designed to provide the current date without including the time. When used in a cell, it will automatically update to reflect the current date each day when the worksheet is recalculated.

Unlike other functions, TODAY() is straightforward and does not require any arguments. This simplicity makes it particularly useful for scenarios where you need a static reference to the current date, as it always returns today's date based on the computer's system clock.

The NOW() function, while also useful, returns the current date and time, which is not suitable if you only need the date. The DATE() function, on the other hand, creates a date value based on provided year, month, and day inputs, and CURRENT_DATE() is not a valid Excel function. Therefore, TODAY() is the correct choice for returning just the current date in Excel.