'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix SharePoint List Date Column Not Defaulting to Today
Question details
The user needs to fix a SharePoint list date column that no longer automatically populates with today's date when adding new items.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Adding a new item to a SharePoint list where a date column is expected to auto-fill the current date.
- Observed behavior
- The date column remains blank or produces incorrect date offsets instead of correctly defaulting to today's date.
Ensure you have Site Owner or Designer permissions in SharePoint, as you will need access to List Settings to verify regional configurations and modify column properties.
Use a Calculated Column for Today's Date
If the standard default value setting is failing due to a server-side bug, using a calculated column forces SharePoint to display the current date.
This is the most reliable temporary workaround when SharePoint's native [Today] default value fails to populate due to backend updates or regional sync issues.
Open your SharePoint list, click 'Add column' at the top of the view, and select 'More...' to access the classic column settings page.
Type a name for your column (e.g., 'Current Date') and select 'Calculated (calculation based on other columns)' as the data type.
In the formula box, type exactly '=Today()' without the quotes.
Scroll down to 'The data type returned from this formula is' and select 'Date and Time', then click 'OK' to save the column.
Force-Refresh and Verify Regional Settings
Browser caching or mismatched site regional settings can sometimes cause the default date to appear blank or offset in certain time zones.
Escalate to Microsoft Support
If workarounds fail, the issue is likely a known server-side glitch requiring tenant administrator intervention.
Switch to WPS Office for a Reliable Productivity Experience
While server-side glitches in SharePoint or Microsoft 365 can disrupt your team's workflow, WPS Office provides a stable, offline-capable, and lightweight alternative for your document management and spreadsheet needs. Enjoy seamless local work without relying entirely on complex cloud syncing.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 3. Open existing documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Office files directly with full formatting preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does changing the site time zone temporarily fix the date column?
Changing the time zone forces the SharePoint server to recalculate the regional context for your session, which can temporarily bypass caching or synchronization bugs. However, it is not recommended as it will skew the timestamps on other list items.
Can I use the [Today] variable in a standard date column default value?
Yes, normally you can enter [Today] in the Default Value field of a Date and Time column. If this stops working due to a system glitch, switching to a Calculated column with the =Today() formula is the best workaround.
Will the calculated column =Today() update every day automatically?
In a SharePoint calculated column, =Today() captures the current date at the moment the item is created or modified. It does not automatically update to the current date on subsequent days unless the list item itself is edited.
