XL98: Macro to Change the Date/Time Format in a Header/Footer

In Microsoft Excel, when you use the date code, &[Date], to insert the date in the header or footer of a document, the date appears in the default "MM/DD/YY" format. The time code, &[Time], appears in the default "H:MM AM/PM" format. These date and time formats are based on the time settings in the Date & Time control panel.

To use a date or time format other than the default format, do either of the following:

• Manually type the time or date in the header or footer. -or-
  
  
• Use a Visual Basic for Applications macro to change the format.

This article contains a sample macro that places the current date in the header in the "MMM DD, YYYY" format.

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Visual Basic for Applications Macro Example

To create a macro that places the current date in the header in the "MMM DD, YYYY" format, follow these steps:

1. Save and close any open workbooks, and then create a new workbook.
2. Start the Visual Basic Editor (press OPTION+F11).
3. On the Insert menu, click Module.
4. Type the following:

         Sub Change_Format()
             ActiveSheet.PageSetup.CenterHeader = Format(Now, "MMM DD, YYYY")
         End Sub
   						

5. On the View menu, click Microsoft Excel (or press OPTION+F11).
6. Select cell A1 on the active worksheet and type your name.
7. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Macros.
8. In the Macro dialog box, click Change_Format and click Run.
9. On the File menu, click Print Preview and verify that the header contains the current date in the format above.

For additional information about changing the date or time format in earlier versions of Microsoft Excel, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

For more information about custom formatting, click the Office Assistant, type custom formatting click Search, and then click to view "Create a Custom Number Format."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: