How to Insert Date and Time into Word 2010-2019

Microsoft Office allows quickly insert the current date and time into the body of a document as well as into the header and footer. This post describes 4 options to insert date time and have it update automatically in Word document.

• Option 1: Insert date and time by using shortcut keys
• Option 2: Insert date and time via Insert tab
• Option 3: Insert date and time by using Word printdate field
• Option 4: Insert date and time via Header and Footer Ribbon

Option 1: Insert date and time using Shortcut Keys

Word offers handy keyboard shortcuts to insert the date and time:

• Alt + Shift + D: Insert the current date into your text. This command inserts a content control into your document text that can be updated.
• Alt+Shift+T: Insert the current time into your text. This command inserts a time field, which can be updated, just like any other field.

Option 2: Insert Date and Time using the Insert tab

To have Word automatically update the date and time when you open or print the document, use these steps.

Step 1: Click in your document where you want the date and time to appear.

Step 2: Click the Insert tab, then click Date & Time button.

Step 3: Click the date and time in the format that you want. Select the Update automatically check box. Click OK when finished.

When you run open this document on another day, the current date displays.

Option 3: Insert Date and Time using the Word PrintDate Field

You can put the PrintDate field into the header of important documents, which lets people know the date was printed.

Step 1: Click the Insert tab.

Step 2: In the Text group, choose Quick Parts > Field.

Step 3: Select Date and Time from the Categories drop-down list. Select PrintDate from the Field Names list.

Step 4: In the Field Properties section of the Field dialog box, choose a date-and-time format.

Step 5: When done, click OK.

Tips: The date may not update in your document unless you close, then re-open the file or right-click the field and select Update Field.

Option 4: Insert Date using Header and Footer Ribbon

You can make the date and time appear in the headers or footers, use these steps:

Step 1: Double-click the header or footer of your document to bring up the Header & Footer Tools ribbon.

Step 2: Click the Design tab in the Header & Footer Tools ribbon. Click the Date & Time button.

Tips: This tab contains the Insert group, but it is not the same as the Design tab on the regular ribbon that contains a gallery of format thumbnails.

Step 3: In Date and Time dialog box, click format that you want to use and then click the Update Automatically check box. Click the OK button to close the dialog box when done.

You will see the formatted date displays in the header or footer.

Personalize the Data and Time in Header and Footer

You can see the makeup of the Date and Time field by simply selecting it in the header or footer and pressing Shift + F9. You can also edit the Date and Time by setting its Font theme, Size, Color or others in Word. Double-click in the document body can exit the header or footer.