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Is there a way to have Word automatically insert the current date and then stop updating it?

Anonymous
2024-04-25T10:34:42+00:00

Is there a way to have Word automatically insert the current date and then stop updating it?

The documents in question are blank templates and the usual "Insert date and stop updating" and "Insert Field - Date created" tricks don't help because the date inserted is the date when the original template was created in 2019.

As I've said, these are blank templates that need the current date in 2 locations. Ideally, i'd need them to automatically insert the date on which a copy of the blank template which I'll be using is created, and then I'd need it to lock that date so it doesn't change if I continue work on it the following day or if I have to make changes to the document or print out a new copy a few weeks later.

Thank you in advance :)

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | Windows

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  1. Suzanne S Barnhill 277.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2024-04-25T11:38:57+00:00

    If these are in fact actual templates (.dotx files) rather than documents as Stefan assumes, the CREATEDATE will still work. Any new document based on the template will display its own creation date.

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  1. Stefan Blom 339.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2024-04-25T10:49:59+00:00

    Are you saying that you are using an existing document as a starting point and then clicking Save As to create the new one?

    The CREATEDATE will reflect the new date, but you must update the field in the new document. Select the field and press F9 (or Fn+F9 on some keyboards).

    The CREATEDATE field can be inserted from the Field dialog box (Insert tab > Text group > Quick Parts > Field).

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  1. Stefan Blom 339.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2024-04-25T12:43:48+00:00

    Thanks for the follow-up. I'm glad you got it sorted.

    Unfortunately, the rules for updating fields are a bit confusing in Word. Updating a CREATEDATE field can be done a little easier if the field is inside a header or footer, in which case you can force an update if you preview the file by clicking File > Print and then exit the preview, for example with ESC.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-25T11:45:11+00:00

    The CREATEDATE worked, it was just a matter of updating the new document manually.
    Thank you so much, Stefan and Suzanne

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