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How to add a time-stamp in Word

Anonymous
2023-02-24T20:29:52+00:00

We have documents that require reviewers' signoff. I want to make a preformatted timestamp for our reviewers so that they can just click on a button to add a textbox that shows "Reviewed by (reviewer's name) on (the date and time they stamp)"

While reviewer's name can be added with UserName Quick Part, I'm struggling with the Date&Time Quick Part.

  • If I don't check "Update automatically", it will keep the date/time I created the stamp and not showing the date/time the reviewers add the stamp to the document.
  • If I check "Update automatically", it will also show the date/time I created the stamp and not showing the date/time the reviewers add the stamp. However, if the reviewer Update the field, it will update the date/time at that point, but every time the file is open it will also update to the new date/time.

Neither serves the purpose I want, which is to show the date/time the reviewer adds the stamp and to keep it unchanged thereafter.

I would appreciate any advice that can help me make this stamp. Thank you!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-03-01T20:19:37+00:00

    I built my stamp based on your advice and the one from this thread https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/run-time-error-5941-not-always-but-annoyingly/b95ec1db-6928-4d87-b799-52d4f1c01f08?page=1. It works!

    Below is the code I use:

    Sub Macro1()

    '

    ' Macro1 Macro

    '

    ' 

    Application.Templates.LoadBuildingBlocks 

Application.Templates( \_ 

    "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Document Building Blocks\1033\16\Building Blocks.dotx" \_ 

    ).BuildingBlockEntries("Stamp").Insert Where:=Selection.Range, RichText:= \_ 

    True 

ActiveDocument.Shapes.Range(Array("Text Box 2")).Select 

ActiveDocument.Shapes.Range(Array("Text Box 2")).Select 

Selection.Fields.Update 

ActiveDocument.Shapes.Range(Array("Text Box 2")).Select 

Selection.Fields.Unlink 

ActiveDocument.Shapes.Range(Array("Text Box 2")).Select 

Selection.Fields.Update 

ActiveDocument.Shapes.Range(Array("Text Box 2")).Select 

Selection.Fields.Unlink

    End Sub

    This community is wonderful. Thank you.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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12 additional answers

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  1. Charles Kenyon 166.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-02-24T22:47:45+00:00

    Another macro-free option for you would be to create such a textbox yourself and put the field in it.

    Format it to have no "fill" and to be in front of text.

    Then save it as a Building Block / AutoText.

    You can create a Keyboard Shortcut for the Building Block.

    When used, your user would need to unlink the field.

    This would have the advantage of acting like a rubber stamp, not moving/displacing text in the document.

    As you may have gathered from my answers, there is no absolutely straightforward way to do this in Word. The Insert > Date and Time with no automatic updating comes closest.

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  2. Charles Kenyon 166.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-02-24T22:42:19+00:00

    If the box to update automatically is left unchecked, it will give fixed text.

    Then there is no field to have to unlink.

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  3. Charles Kenyon 166.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-02-24T22:38:16+00:00

    Unless you will get into trouble, download the Add-In and try it.

    If it would get you into trouble, talk to your IT department and have them look at it. It is fairly simple.

    To do this yourself is still going to require a macro of some sort or be very difficult for your users to use.

    Without any macros:

    You can simply add the Date and Time under Insert.

    That adds a DATE field to your document.

    Using Date Fields in Microsoft Word

    That field can be unlinked so that it becomes permanent text. Ctrl+6 does this. So does Ctrl+Shift+F9.

    Dealing with Fields in Microsoft Word

    It will be in the text on the page instead of in a textbox so may change pagination.

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  4. Charles Kenyon 166.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-02-24T21:30:06+00:00

    See DateStamp with dialog Add-In.

    I think I've already done what you want.

    Image

    The name is the user name as set on the computer.

    This is done with a macro and Building Blocks.

    There are nine choices and the user can type something else.

    Image

    The coding and building blocks on this are open.

    It includes macros for Reviewed and Received.

    You could add a QAT button to it for the Reviewed stamp if you want.

    Modifying the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) in Microsoft Word

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