You want to show the current date inside a Notion database formula. Notion formulas do not have a built-in TODAY function like spreadsheet software. This limitation means you cannot get a live, auto-updating date directly from a formula property. This article explains the workaround using a linked date property and the now() function, and shows the exact steps to display today’s date in a formula.
Key Takeaways: Display Today’s Date in a Notion Formula
- Add a Date property named “Current Date”: This property holds a static date that you update manually or via automation; the formula references this property.
- Use the now() function in the formula: The now() function returns the current date and time at the moment the formula is evaluated, but it only updates when the database row is edited.
- Combine with a template button or automation: To keep the date current, use a template button that runs daily or integrate with a third-party tool like Zapier to update the date property.
Why Notion Formulas Do Not Have a Live Today Function
Notion formulas are evaluated each time a database row is opened or edited. They do not recalculate automatically on a timer. The now() function exists, but it returns the date and time only at the moment of evaluation. If you write a formula that uses now() and never edit the row, the formula output stays frozen at the last evaluation time. This behavior is by design — Notion formulas are not meant to be live clocks. To display today’s date, you need a workaround that forces the formula to re-evaluate.
How now() Works in Notion Formulas
The now() function returns the current date and time as a date object. You can use it inside a formula like this: now(). If you place this in a formula property, it shows the date and time of the last edit. To display only the date, wrap it: formatDate(now(), "MMM DD, YYYY"). This output updates only when the row is modified.
Prerequisites for the Workaround
You need a Notion database with at least two properties: a Date property (set to a specific date) and a Formula property. The Date property acts as the trigger. When you update that Date property, the formula recalculates and shows the current date. This method works for any Notion plan, including Free.
Steps to Display Today’s Date in a Notion Formula
- Create a Date property named “Current Date”
Open your database. Click the + button in the last column header. Select Date from the property type list. Name it “Current Date” or any label you prefer. Leave the date field empty for now. - Add a Formula property
Click the + button again. Choose Formula from the list. Name it “Today’s Date” or similar. This property will display the output. - Enter the formula using now() and formatDate()
Click inside the Formula field. Type:formatDate(now(), "MMM DD, YYYY"). This converts the current date into a readable string. Replace the format string with your preferred format, such as “YYYY-MM-DD” for ISO format. - Set the Current Date property to today’s date
Click on the date field in any row. Select today’s date from the date picker. The formula property will immediately display today’s date. - Automate the daily update (optional)
To keep the date current without manual edits, create a template button that updates the Current Date property. Or use a third-party automation like Zapier to set the Current Date to today each day. Without automation, you must edit the date manually every day to refresh the formula.
If the Formula Shows the Wrong Date
Formula Shows Yesterday’s Date
If the formula displays a date that is not today, the now() function has not re-evaluated. Open the row and edit the Current Date property — change the date to any other date and then back to today. This forces the formula to recalculate. Alternatively, add a checkbox property and toggle it to trigger a re-evaluation.
Formula Shows Time Instead of Date
The now() function returns both date and time. If you see time in the output, you omitted the formatDate() wrapper. Ensure your formula is: formatDate(now(), "MMM DD, YYYY"). You can also use now().formatDate("MMM DD, YYYY") — both syntaxes work in Notion.
Formula Shows an Empty Cell
An empty formula cell usually means a syntax error. Check for missing parentheses or quotes. The correct formula is: formatDate(now(), "MMM DD, YYYY"). Make sure you use straight double quotes, not smart quotes. Also verify that the property type is Formula, not Text or Date.
Notion Formula now() vs Manual Date Property: Key Differences
| Feature | Formula with now() | Manual Date Property |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-updates | Only when the row is edited | Never updates automatically |
| Requires trigger | Needs a date property or edit to re-evaluate | No trigger — you set it once |
| Can be used in other formulas | Yes, as a date object or formatted string | Yes, as a date object |
| Works offline | Yes, but shows the time of last edit | Yes, shows the date you entered |
| Best for | Dashboards that you edit frequently | Static records like birth dates |
You can now display today’s date in a Notion formula using the now() function with a formatDate() wrapper. To keep the date current, pair the formula with a Date property that you update daily or automate with a template button. For advanced use, combine now() with dateSubtract() or dateAdd() to calculate relative dates like yesterday or next week.