Note
This content applies to Word for Windows (including Word with a Microsoft 365 subscription). The steps and options may differ in Word for Mac or Word for the web.
The Date field inserts the current date and can be formatted to display the date, time, or both.
When you select Date & Time in the Text group on the Insert tab, Word inserts a Date field.
You can also insert a Date field in the body of a document by doing the following:
On the Insert tab, in the Text group, select Quick Parts, and then select Field.
Note
The Quick Parts > Field dialog is available in Word for Windows desktop. The steps and UI may differ in Word for Mac and Word for the web.
In the Field dialog box, under Field names, click Date.
Note
Date and Time fields can display a date, a time, or both, depending on the date-time picture switch you specify.
Syntax
When you view the Date field code in your document, the syntax looks like this:
{ DATE [ \@ "Date-Time Picture"] [Switches] }
Note
A field code tells the field what to show. Field results are the content displayed in the document after the field code is evaluated. To toggle between viewing the field code and the field code results, press Alt+F9.
Switches
\@ "Date-Time Picture"
Specifies a date format other than the default format. If you select a format in the Field dialog box, 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 directly in the Field codes box.
\l
Inserts the date with the last format that you selected in the Date and Time dialog box.
\h
Specifies use of the Hijri/Lunar calendar.
\s
Specifies use of the Saka Era calendar.
Examples
{ DATE \@ "dddd, MMMM d" } displays Saturday, November 26
{ DATE \@ "h:mm am/pm, dddd, MMMM d" } displays 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 26