Howto use calculated fields in WSS lists even though it’s not supported

It turns out that [Today] and [Me] can’t be used in calculated fields in WSS lists.

 

However, there’s a bug (or feature) which allows us to use at least the [Today] any way.

 

In a list create a column with the name “Today”. It doesn’t matter but use the Date field type.

 

Now in a calculated field it’s possible to add the Today column and use it in a calculation like the age of something in years: =DATEDIF([Born];[Today],”d”)/365

 

Then delete the Today column – and now we’re set. WSS then replaces [Today] with the current date and the Age calculated field is filled with the Age in years.

 

Weird but true.

 

Here’s a some more reference information on calculated fields: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepointtechnology/HA101215881033.aspx