How to change a format of inserted date in MS Word?

Question

There are shortcut keys in MS Word to insert a date: `Shift + Alt + D`. But it inserts a date in this format: `1/26/2015` even when my Windows system wide settings are set for this format: `2015-01-26`. So Word has its own date format settings, I think. How to change it?

Answer 1

You're absolutely right — using Shift + Alt + D inserts a dynamic date field in Word, but it doesn’t always follow your system’s regional format. That’s because Word uses its own field code settings for date formatting. Here’s how to change it:

🛠 How to Change the Inserted Date Format in Word

1. After inserting the date using Shift + Alt + D, right-click the date.
2. Select Edit Field.
3. In the dialog box, look for the field code — it will say something like DATE.
4. Click OK, then press Alt + F9 to reveal the field code in your document. It will look like:
5. Code

{ DATE \@ "M/d/yyyy" }

1. Change the format inside the quotes to your preferred style. For example:
2. yyyy-MM-dd → 2015-01-26
3. dd/MM/yyyy → 26/01/2015
4. Press Alt + F9 again to hide the field code.
5. Right-click the field and choose Update Field to apply the new format.

This method gives you full control over how the date appears, regardless of your system settings. You can even save a custom field as part of a template if you use it often.

>> Sorry MAC users no short cut! You've got to go to insert. <<

🛠 Insert and Format a Date in Word for Mac

Go to Insert > Date and Time from the *top menu*.

1. Choose your preferred format (e.g., YYYY-MM-DD).
2. Check “Update automatically” if you want the date to refresh each time the document is opened.
3. Click OK to insert the date.

✅ This inserts a field-based date that updates dynamically and respects your chosen format.