Insert the time and date into Word with shortcuts

In Microsoft Word, you can use shortcuts to insert the date and time. These can be static or update dynamically. In this guide, we will show you how this works.

Insert date and time with shortcuts in Word

With just two shortcuts, you can insert the date and time in Word. Two further shortcuts update or fix the entry. A dynamic date is useful for letter templates, for example, and a static time for documentation.

1. Press the key combination [Alt] + [Shift] + [D] to insert the current date.
2. Use [Alt] + [Shift] + [T] to insert the current time.
3. If you want to update the time, click on the inserted time field and press the [F9] key.
4. To fix the date and time, click on the respective field and simultaneously press [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [F9]. Without this input, the entry is updated every time the Word document is restarted.
5. In a special practical tip, we will show you how you can create additional texts such as names, phone numbers or addresses in Word using text modules and keyboard shortcuts.
6. Our articles also tell you how to insert special characters and symbols in Word and change the spelling language.

These shortcuts work in both old and new versions of Office on Windows and Mac. However, the standard date and time formatting cannot be easily changed on Mac. How to create macros, drop-down lists and check boxes in Word can be found in other practical tips.

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For example, for documentation or minutes, a shortcut is much more convenient than looking at the calendar and clock and manual entry: Just press the keys [Alt] + [Shift] + [T] for Time or [D] for Date and a field with the entry arises.

To update the date or time, click in the field and press [F9]. Warning: The date and time are set dynamically by default, so they update as soon as you open the file. To fix the entry, use the key combination [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [F9]. From now on, the entry remains as it is every time it is started again.

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