When you open a Word document that contains a date or time field, the value often stays frozen at the moment it was last saved. This creates extra work for you because you must manually update the field each time you reuse the document. The root cause is that Word does not automatically recalculate date and time fields by default unless you enable a specific setting. This article explains how to configure a Word template so that all date and time fields update automatically every time the document opens, saving you time and ensuring accuracy.
Key Takeaways: Auto-Refresh Date and Time Fields in Word Templates
- File > Options > Display > Update automatic links at open: Tells Word to refresh all linked fields, including date and time fields, when you open the document or template.
- Insert > Quick Parts > Field > Date or Time: Inserts a dynamic field instead of static text, enabling automatic updates.
- Save as Word Template (.dotx): Saves the document as a reusable template so that every new document created from it inherits the auto-refresh behavior.
Why Date and Time Fields Stay Static by Default
When you insert a date or time in Word using the Date & Time button on the Insert tab, Word places static text by default. This text does not update when you reopen the document. Even if you use the Insert > Quick Parts > Field method to insert a dynamic field, Word does not automatically recalculate that field unless the document contains a specific instruction to do so.
The behavior is controlled by a document-level setting called “Update automatic links at open.” This setting is turned off by default for security and performance reasons. When it is off, Word treats all fields as frozen snapshots. When it is on, Word recalculates fields such as Date, Time, and CreateDate each time the document opens.
To make this change permanent across many documents, you must modify the template from which those documents are created. A template is a master file that defines the default content, formatting, and settings for new documents. By enabling the auto-refresh option in the template, every new document you create from that template will inherit the behavior.
Steps to Set a Word Template to Auto-Refresh Date and Time Fields
Follow these steps to configure a Word template so that date and time fields update automatically when the document opens.
- Open or create the template
In Word, go to File > Open and select a .dotx or .dotm file. If you are creating a new template, start with a blank document, add your content, then go to File > Save As. In the Save as type dropdown, choose Word Template (.dotx). Name the file and click Save. - Insert a dynamic date or time field
Place your cursor where you want the date or time to appear. Go to Insert > Quick Parts > Field. In the Field dialog box, select Date and Time from the Categories list. Under Field names, choose Date, Time, CreateDate, or PrintDate depending on your need. Click OK. Do not use the Date & Time button on the Insert tab because that inserts static text. - Enable automatic link updating
Go to File > Options > Advanced. Scroll down to the General section. Check the box labeled Update automatic links at open. Click OK. This setting tells Word to refresh all fields, including date and time fields, when the document opens. - Save the template
Press Ctrl+S or go to File > Save. Close the template file. - Test the template
Create a new document based on the template. Double-click the .dotx file in File Explorer, or go to File > New > Personal and select the template. The date or time field should display the current date or time. Close and reopen the document. The field should update to the current value when you reopen it.
Alternative Method: Use a Macro to Force Field Update
If the Update automatic links at open setting does not work for your version of Word or if you need more control, you can use a simple VBA macro. This method requires saving the template as a macro-enabled template (.dotm).
- Open the template
Open your .dotx template in Word. Go to File > Save As. In the Save as type dropdown, choose Word Macro-Enabled Template (.dotm). Click Save. - Open the VBA editor
Press Alt+F11 to open the Visual Basic for Applications editor. - Insert the macro code
In the Project Explorer pane on the left, double-click ThisDocument. Paste the following code into the code window:Private Sub Document_Open()
ActiveDocument.Fields.Update
End Sub - Save and close the template
Press Ctrl+S to save the template. Close the VBA editor and then close the template. When you create a new document from this .dotm file, the macro runs automatically on open and updates all fields.
Common Issues When Auto-Refreshing Date and Time Fields
The date or time field does not update when I reopen the document
This usually happens because the field was inserted as static text rather than a dynamic field. Verify that you used Insert > Quick Parts > Field and selected Date, Time, CreateDate, or PrintDate. If you used the Date & Time button, delete that entry and reinsert it using the Field dialog.
Update automatic links at open is grayed out
This setting is unavailable when no links exist in the document. Insert a field first, then the option becomes active. Alternatively, you can enable the setting in a blank document, then save it as a template.
The macro does not run when I open the document
Word blocks macros by default if the file came from the internet or if macro security is set to Disable all macros. Go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings. Select Enable all macros or Disable all macros with notification. For templates you trust, you can also add the template folder to the Trusted Locations list.
The date field shows the wrong time zone
The Date and Time fields use the system time of the computer where the document opens. If the computer is set to a different time zone, the displayed time will reflect that. Use the Time field instead of Date if you need the current time, and ensure the computer’s time zone is correct.
Word Template Settings: Auto-Refresh vs Manual Update
| Item | Auto-Refresh (Update automatic links at open) | Manual Update (Default behavior) |
|---|---|---|
| Field type required | Dynamic field (Insert > Quick Parts > Field) | Static text (Insert > Date & Time) or dynamic field |
| Refresh trigger | Automatic on document open | Manual: right-click field > Update Field or press F9 |
| Setting location | File > Options > Advanced > General | No setting required |
| Works with all field types | Date, Time, CreateDate, PrintDate, and linked fields | Any field, but requires user action |
| Template inheritance | Yes, if set in the .dotx or .dotm file | No inheritance; each document must be updated manually |
Now you can create a Word template that automatically refreshes date and time fields each time the document opens. Start by inserting dynamic fields using Insert > Quick Parts > Field, then enable the Update automatic links at open setting in File > Options > Advanced. For environments where the setting does not persist, use the Document_Open macro in a macro-enabled template. As an advanced tip, combine this technique with the PrintDate field to always show the date the document was printed, which is useful for contracts and reports.