How do I set up Word so it automatically inserts the current date

[harlemnocturn]

This is a feature that previously worked before until yesterday. Now all I
get is the current month. When I space after, it no longer inserts the day
and year. Under the Insert tab, Insert Date and AutoText seem to be set
properly. What could have gone wrong?

 

[DAVE]

Hi,
Did you turn the feature on?
Checkbox "Show auto complete tip for auto text and dates"
Rgrds,

 

[harlemnocturn]

Dave

Thanks for your reply. No, I did not. If fact, I cannot even find it.
Where is it located? Perhaps I should have explained that I am running the
Small Business Edition of Office XP with Word 2002. Incidentally I just
found that the alternative format listed above the one that I used does work.
In other words I can automatically insert Saturday, December 31, 2005. I
cannot insert December 31, 2005. All I get is December.

Louis

 

[DAVE]

Hi Louis,
Click Start
Double click on Regional and language options
Regional options tap
Customize button
Date tap
Under Long date format
select dd MMMM yyyy
click Apply and OK.
Happy new year,

 

[harlemnocturn]

Dave

Happy New Year; however, your suggestions resulted in an error message
"Invalid Characters." What should I try next?

Louis

 

[DAVE]

Hi Louis,
Don't type the format in that field!
Select that option with the drop down arrow.

 

[harlemnocturn]

Dave

Thanks, but I did not type in that field. The options themselves generated
the error message.

Louis

 

[DAVE]

Hi Louis,
Try the short date format dd/MMMM/yyyy
if it doesn't work, try with a different seperator.
Note:The default setting depends on the location you have set on your system.
See attached article.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307938/en-us
Rgrds,

 

[harlemnocturn]

Dave

Thanks, but this did not work either. I received the same error message.
It's odd that yesterday I got it to work with dddd, MMMM dd, yyyy in the Date
and Time box under the Insert tab in Word. I should have left it that way.
Any other suggestions?

Louis

 

[DAVE]

Hi,
To keep the format choosen from the Insert menu of Word you have to press
the Default button.
At the Insert menu click Date and Time
from the available format list choose " 2 January 2006" and click Default.
Confirm the change in the window popping up.
Click Insert again
Auto text
Again Auto text and select the checkbox "Show auto complete tip for Auto
text and Dates". When typing the fourth character the complete Date pops up.
Press ENTER to insert it.
Rgrds,

 

[harlemnocturn]

Dave

I may as well quit while I am ahead and quit trying. After performing the
steps you outlined, I had success with the format you suggested, but no
success with the original format, the one I preferred. So, since they both
mean the same thing, I might as well keep what I have. So, I guess it is
fixed unti something else mysteriously goes wrong. Thanks and Happy New Year!

Louis

 

[DAVE]

Hi Louis,
I think that's a very wise decision, and hopefully this will stay the only
"problem"
on your system .
Happy New Year.