In Microsoft Word, how do I put a date on my document?

You have two options for putting a date on a document in Microsoft Word. The first method puts a static date in the document; that is, the date does not change when the day changes. The second method makes the date dynamic. When you open the document tomorrow, for example, the date displayed will be tomorrow's date.

Note: The interface for Office 2007 programs is significantly different from that of older versions, with different terms and concepts; see For Office 2007, what are some new interface features?

On this page:

• Static date
• Dynamic date
• Inserting a date in a header

Static date

To add a static date, do either of the following:

• Within the document, type the date you want displayed.
  
  
• Alternatively, follow the appropriate procedure for your version of Word:
  
  
  • Word 2007: Click the Insert tab. In the "Text" area, select Date & Time. Uncheck Update automatically if it is checked, and then click OK. The date will be inserted into your document at the location of the cursor.
  • Word 2003 and earlier: From the Insert menu, select Date and Time... . In the Date and Time dialog box, select the format you want, uncheck Update automatically if it is checked, and then click OK. The date will be inserted into your document at the location of the cursor.

Dynamic date

Word 2007

1. Click the Insert tab. In the "Text" area, select Date & Time.
   
   
2. Choose the format you want.
   
   
3. Select Update automatically if it is not already selected. This will set the date to change each day. Click OK.

Earlier versions

1. From the Insert menu, select Date and Time... . The Date and Time dialog box will appear.
   
   
2. Choose the format you want.
   
   
3. At the bottom of the box, select Update automatically if it is not already selected. This will set the date to change each day. Click OK.

Inserting a date in a header

Word 2007

1. Click the Insert tab.
   
   
2. In the toolbar, click the Header icon, and choose your header type.
   
   
3. Click the Insert tab.
   
   
4. Click Date and Time, choose your Date and Time style, and then click OK.

Earlier versions

1. From the View menu, select Header and Footer.
   
   
2. The Header and Footer toolbar will appear, and the headers and footers on the page will be outlined with dotted lines. Place the cursor inside the header or footer where you would like to place the date (you may want to align it using the paragraph formatting options).
   
   
3. Either click the Insert Date button on the Header and Footer toolbar (it has a number 7 on it), or, from the Insert menu, select Date and Time... to open the Date and Time dialog box (this method gives you Date and Time style choices).

After you have inserted the date, you may change it just as you would any other text on the page.

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