Fix Incorrect Dates in SharePoint Highlighted Content Web Part
Question details
The SharePoint Highlighted Content web part displays incorrect date formats or omits metadata altogether.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Users are viewing a document library via the Highlighted Content web part and noticing missing or inaccurate metadata.
- Observed behavior
- The web part displays the document date as Unix epoch time (January 1, 1970) or completely omits the modified-date and modified-by user information across multiple browsers.
Ensure you have Site Editor or Site Owner permissions to modify web part properties, and confirm your internet connection is stable.
Change the Content Source Scope
Adjusting the web part's source scope can bypass certain indexing glitches and correctly display the document library metadata.
Often, querying a broader scope like 'Site collection' triggers metadata display bugs. Narrowing the scope down to 'This site' or a specific document library can restore the missing date and author information.
Navigate to the SharePoint page containing the issue and click the 'Edit' button in the top right corner.
Click on the Highlighted Content web part, then select the pencil icon (Edit web part) to open the property pane on the right.
Under the 'Source' dropdown menu, change the selection from 'All sites' or 'Site collection' to 'This site' or 'A document library on this site'.
Check the web part preview to see if the dates are correct. Once verified, click 'Republish' to save your changes for all users.
Verify Microsoft 365 Service Health
If the issue persists across all browsers, sites, and users, it may be caused by a backend Microsoft 365 service degradation.
Manage Your Local Documents Effectively with WPS Office
While you wait for backend SharePoint web part issues to be resolved, you can rely on WPS Office to create, edit, and manage your documents locally. It provides a robust, lightweight, and fully compatible suite for your daily document needs.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free version for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen prompts to quickly install the software.
- 3. Edit Your Files: Open your Microsoft format documents directly in WPS Office to continue working seamlessly without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SharePoint show a date of January 1, 1970?
January 1, 1970, is known as the Unix epoch. When a web part or database query fails to retrieve a valid date value due to a bug or indexing error, the system defaults to the timestamp of 'zero', which translates to this date.
Does this display bug affect the actual modified dates on my files?
No. The Highlighted Content web part only dictates how information is rendered on a specific page. Your actual documents in the library retain their correct modification dates and author information.
Will clearing my browser cache resolve the web part date issue?
Because this issue typically affects multiple users across Edge, Chrome, Safari, and Firefox simultaneously, it is usually a configuration or backend service issue. Clearing your browser cache is unlikely to resolve it.
