How to write macro which evaluates =Now() and inserts result (revisted)

[D-R]

This question was asked before:

How to write macro which evaluates =Now() and inserts result

Hi, I often need to insert a “date / time stamp” in a cell of my calc spreadsheet as a fixed value. I can insert the formula =Now(), copy the cell, paste as a number, change the format to date / time and finally I see something like “21/09/13 09:11”. There must be an easier way. How could a write a macro to achieve the same result

While the answer given seemed to satisfy the original questioner, I need a fuller answer.

Ctrl+: yields something like > 03/17/26
and Ctrl+Shft+; yields something like > 16:36:01.8890805
However, I need something like > 03/17/2026 15:57:37

I can currently get that by copying a cell containing =now() and then Ctrl+Shft+v. A little tedious but works.

What I want is a hot key that would give the same result. Ideally, I would like replace the current Ctrl+; with a Insert Date and Time function, instead of just insert date.

[D-R]

Thank you, keme1, for the suggestion. Unfortunately LibreOffice doesn’t allow me to use both shortcuts in the same cell.

[D-R]

Not sure why Ctrl+; followed by Shft+Ctrl+; didn’t work.

But I played with the short cuts and added Ctrrl+Alt+; to Insert Time.

I was then able to use the combo Ctrl+; followed by Ctrl+Alt+;

But, that creates a new problem, it breaks my cell formatting. So not sure if I have a solution and a new problem or if I should continue to look for a solution.

I think I will continue to look for another solution here.

[EarnestAl]

This third party page has a macro, https://superuser.com/questions/1345629/insert-the-current-date-and-time-datetime-function-with-a-single-shortcut-into

I see that Mac does not appear to have a shortcut to insert Time in the Calc Guide 25.2

[keme1]

@D-R

Thank you, keme1, for the suggestion. Unfortunately LibreOffice doesn’t allow me to use both shortcuts in the same cell.

That’s weird. It works for me after a recent auto update to 25.8.5.2, and also worked on a previous version (25.6.something I believe) before I replied. My shortcuts on Norwegian language/keyboard setup are slightly different from what you specified, but that should not be a problem.

• My tests were on Windows 11.
• Initially Calc displayed overflow indicator #### in the cell, so I had to make it wider to view the full date/time display. Other than that it worked smoothly.

[sokol92]

@D-R

What I want is a hot key that would give the same result.

This can easily be done with a macro and assigned a hotkey.
What cell format do you need for the current date and time?

[keme1]

You can combine the two keypresses.

• First press the date keyboard shortcut Ctrl+;
• Next, immediately press the time-of-day shortcut Ctrl+Shift+;

You achieve the desired output - full four digit year, hour:min:sec without fractions of a second - by formatting the timestamp cell accordingly.