Field codes: Date field - Word - Microsoft Office Online

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Field codes: Date field

Applies to: Microsoft Office Word 2003

{ DATE [ \@ "Date-Time Picture"] [Switches] }

Inserts the current date.

Microsoft Word inserts a DATE field when you click Insert Date Button image on the Header and Footer toolbar (toolbar: A bar with buttons and options that you use to carry out commands. To display a toolbar, press ALT and then SHIFT+F10.). Unless you select a different format, the date is displayed in the format specified as part of the regional settings in Microsoft Windows Control Panel. To change this setting for Word, use the Default button in the Date and Time dialog box (Insert menu).

You can also insert a DATE field in the body of a document by clicking Field from the Insert menu and then specifying the format in which you want to view the date.

Note The DATE and TIME fields can display a date, a time, or both, depending on the format you specify in a date-time picture switch.

Show Switches

\@ "Date-Time Picture"

Specifies a date format other than the default format. If you select a format in the Field dialog box (Field command, Insert menu), Word inserts a corresponding date-time picture switch.

To use a format that's not listed in the Field dialog box, click the Field Codes button and type the format switch (format switch (\*): A switch or instruction that specifies the capitalization, numeral style, and character formatting that Microsoft Word uses in a field result.) directly in the Field codes box.

\l

Inserts the date with the last format selected using the Date and Time command (Insert menu).

\h

Specifies use of the Hijri/Lunar calendar.

\s

Specifies use of the Saka Era calendar.

Show Examples

{ DATE \@ "dddd, MMMM d" } displays Saturday, November 26

{ DATE \@ "h:mm am/pm, dddd, MMMM d" } displays 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 26