Imagine you've got a plethora of Word documents on your computer. You're trying to figure out which draft is the earliest, or maybe you're just curious about the date a particular document was created. Fumbling around with files can be frustrating, so how can you easily see when a Word document was created? Here is a step-by-step guide to how to see when a Word document was created on Windows and Mac.
How to See When a Word Document Was Created on Windows?
While on Windows, one does many things; one of the most important tasks is creating or receiving a Word document to work on further. How to check when a Word document was created can be a tedious task if you don’t know the correct process.
How to see when a Word document was created on Windows is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide to it.
1. Locate the Document:
To reach a Word document that has already been created and is present on your computer, open File Explorer and choose the required document.
To find the date or time when a Word document was created, you first need to locate that particular Word document. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where your Word document is stored.
2. Right-click on the File:
Once you find the document, right-click on the file name. This is where a drop-down window will open that will have a list of a lot of options to choose from. From this drop-down pane, you can rename the file, copy it, change its location, share it, print it, edit it, etc.
3. Open Properties:
On the drop-down window, you have to click “Properties.” Once you click on “Properties,” a new window will open. This window will have a lot of information about this Word document that you have selected.
4. Switch to the Details Tab:
The new window will pop up with several tabs, and the tabs will have “General,” “Security,” “Details”, and “Previous version” on it. Click on the "Details" tab.
5. Find the Creation Date:
Scroll down until you find a section called "Origin." Here, you'll see a field labeled "Content Created." The date and time mentioned next to this field represent when the document was initially created. You can also see the “Date Last Saved” and a lot more options in the “Origins” section.
6. Close Properties:
Once you’ve found the information you need, click “OK” or “Apply” to close the properties window.
The above stated process is the right way to look for the date when the Word document was created. However, there is one way that most people think is a shortcut to how to see when a Word document was created on Windows. When you go to File Explorer, the names of the Word documents are already listed with the date, time, size of the file, type of the file, etc.
The date and the time when the document was made are there, but this differs from the accurate date. This is the date when the Word document was last opened or edited. The process explained above step-by-step is the correct way to see when the Word document was created.
There are better ways to see when the Word document was created than just the date next to the file's name.
You can also learn how to see when a document was created on Google Docs, as the date of creation is listed right below the title of the Google Doc. You can see the editing history of the Word document, and Google Docs also shows the last opened date. This is an easy way to know when the document was last used.
How to See When a Word Document Was Created on Mac?
How to see when a Word document was created on Mac is not difficult. It is similar to how to see when a Word document was created on Windows. You can see the document's creation date on Mac by following the steps listed below.
1. Locate the Document:
On your Mac, open Finder and navigate to the directory where the Word document is saved.
2. Right-click on the File:
Similar to the process we followed for Windows, you have to find the document you want to see the creation date of. Once you locate your document, you have to control-click (or right-click) on it.
3. Select 'Get Info:
After you right-click on the Word document, a context menu will appear. Choose "Get Info" from the list of options.
4. Check Under 'General':
The info window that will pop up will have a lot of options on it, and you'll find a section named "General."
5. Find the Creation Date:
When you go to the "General" section, look for the "Created" field. This field will display the date and time the document was created. This is how to see when a Word document was created on Mac.
6. Close Info Window:
Once you have the information, you can close the "Get Info" window by clicking the red "x" button at the top left corner. Both methods are similar; only the operating systems are different, which is why some terminologies also differ. It is easy to look for the creation date once you know where to look.
Best Alternative: WPS Office
Microsoft has made lives so easy; the vast fields that it covers for professional and personal use on a day-to-day basis are extraordinary. However, if you're looking for an alternative to Microsoft Word that allows you to easily view file creation dates, consider WPS Office.
WPS Office is also an Office suite like Microsoft. It has all the major tools and features to aid the tasks and make them easier and less time consuming. WPS has Word, Excel, PowerPoint and all other major functions required for seamless work. WPS has advanced features that are available online and for the downloaded software.
WPS has a free version and a premium version. The premium version has additional advanced features and tools to help with professional tasks. The free version is great for day to day tasks that only need a few advanced tools. WPS is user-friendly and easy to navigate, even for beginners.
You can download WPS Office for free, and if you want some additional features, you can also purchase the premium plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How To Check Who Edited A Word Document?
Ans: You can see the editing history of the Word Document. You can also track the changes.
Go to the Word document
Click on “Review” on the ribbon
Click on “Track changes.”
This way, you are enabling any changes to be tracked. If you pass this Word document to someone else and get it back, you can see the changes they’ve made to the document with just a click.
2. Can the creation date of a Word document be completely hidden or removed?
Ans: If you want to change the creation date of a Word document on Mac or know how to hide when a Word document was created, follow the steps.
Open the Word Document
3. How to find out when a PDF was created?
Ans: If you want to know when a PDF was created, you can find it similar to what we used for Windows.
Open File explorer
Choose the PDF file
3. Right-click on the file name and choose “Properties.” A window will pop up.
When the window opens, click on “Details,” and under the heading of “Origins,” you will be able to see the Content Created date. This is when the PDF was originally created on your computer. This may be a PDF that belongs to someone else and was shared with you by them, and you can still find the date it was created through these steps.
Once you are done, click “OK,” and the window disappears.
Summary
Finding out when a Word document was created doesn't have to be a headache. Whether on Windows or Mac, the process is straightforward and only takes a few clicks. How to see when a Word document was created on Mac is similar to checking when a Word document was created on Windows. It is easy to change the date or track the changes someone makes on your document if you click on track changes under the heading “Review” on the ribbon.
Alternatives like WPS Office also offer simple ways to find this information. Knowing how to locate the creation date can save you time and keep your files better organized. WPS Office is making its rounds in popularity, almost similar to Microsoft. It is the best alternative to Microsoft.
