How Do I Insert a Date Selection in Word?

There are a couple of ways to insert a date selection (a date picker) in Word, depending on whether you're looking for a simple date field or an interactive date picker control. Here's how to do both:

1. Inserting a Simple Date Field (Quick Part)

This option inserts a date that automatically updates whenever the document is opened.

1. Click where you want to insert the date.
2. Go to the Insert tab on the Ribbon.
3. In the Text group, click Quick Parts.
4. Select Field...
5. In the Fields dialog box:
   • In the Categories list, select Date and Time.
   • In the Field names list, select Date.
   • In the Format list, choose the desired date format (e.g., M/d/yyyy, or Month Day, Year).
   • Click OK.

This inserts the current date, which will update automatically.

2. Inserting a Date Picker Content Control (Developer Tab Required)

This method provides an interactive calendar for users to select a date. This requires the Developer tab to be visible. If you don't see the Developer tab:

1. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
2. In the right-hand panel, check the box next to Developer and click OK.

Now, to insert the date picker:

1. Click where you want to insert the date picker.
2. Go to the Developer tab.
3. In the Controls group, click the Date Picker Content Control icon (it looks like a calendar). This will insert a placeholder.
4. (Optional) To customize the format of the date, select the date picker control you inserted. Then click Properties within the Controls group. Within the Date Picker Properties dialog, you can change the display format and set other options.
5. You can select the date picker control to bring up the calendar and pick the date you want.

Alternative Method (Utilizing Insert Formula):

While the reference suggests using the "Insert Formula" dialog to achieve date insertion, this is not a standard or direct method for inserting date pickers in modern versions of Word. The "Insert Formula" is primarily intended for mathematical equations. It might refer to a highly customized or specific setup involving programming or add-ins, but in general, the methods described above are the common and straightforward ways to insert a date selection/picker in Word.

By following these instructions, you can easily insert a date into your Word document, either as a static field or as an interactive date picker.