File Format & Compatibility

Fix Word Date Picker Disabled After Saving and Reopening Document

Elise Williams Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to restore the functionality of a date picker content control that becomes inactive after saving and reopening the document.

How to Fix Word Date Picker Disabled After Saving and Reopening

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Using content controls like the date picker in a document and saving the file for later use.
Observed behavior: The date picker becomes disabled after the document is saved, closed, and reopened. Only the placeholder text remains, while other controls continue to function properly.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, verify the file format your document is currently saved in, as certain formats like OpenDocument Text (ODT) do not support advanced Word content controls.

Solution 1Recommended

Save the Document in DOCX Format

Changing the save format from OpenDocument Text (ODT) to standard Microsoft Word format (DOCX) preserves the date picker functionality.

The primary reason complex content controls like the date picker stop working is format incompatibility. When a document is saved as an OpenDocument Text (ODT) file, Word converts advanced features into plain text or static placeholders to maintain basic cross-platform readability. Resaving the file in its native DOCX format restores the ability to use dynamic controls.

Open the affected document

Launch Word and open the document containing the disabled date picker.

Access the Save As menu

Click on the 'File' tab located in the top-left corner of the Word interface and select 'Save As' from the left sidebar.

Change the file type

Choose your desired save destination. In the save dialog box, click on the 'Save as type' dropdown menu.

Select DOCX format

Select 'Word Document (*.docx)' from the list of available formats, then click 'Save'.

Test the control

Close the document and reopen the newly saved DOCX file to ensure the date picker functionality is fully working.

Format Compatibility Restored: Saving as DOCX ensures full compatibility with all Word content controls, preventing features from being stripped out upon saving.

Solution 2

Reinsert the Date Picker Control in a New Document

Test if the issue is isolated to a corrupted file by creating a new document and reinserting the control.

Efficient Document Creation

Use WPS Writer to Manage Document Content Controls Flawlessly

WPS Writer provides robust support for form fields, content controls, and complete compatibility with standard DOCX formats, ensuring your date pickers and interactive elements work seamlessly every time you open them.

1. Launch WPS Writer: Open WPS Writer and create a new document or open your existing file.
2. Add form controls: Navigate to the 'Insert' or 'Developer' tab on the top ribbon to add your desired form controls and date pickers.
3. Save as DOCX: Save your file in the default DOCX format to preserve all interactive elements without compatibility issues.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word DOCX formats to prevent feature loss.Lightweight, fast, and free to use for daily document processing.Intuitive interface for inserting and managing form controls effortlessly.Cross-platform synchronization ensures your interactive forms work perfectly on any device.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the ODT format break my Word date picker?

OpenDocument Text (ODT) is a standardized, open file format that does not natively support all proprietary Microsoft Word features. Complex content controls, like the date picker, are automatically converted to plain text or static placeholders when saved in ODT format to preserve basic readability.

How do I enable the Developer tab to insert a date picker?

In Word, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. In the right-hand pane, check the box next to 'Developer' and click OK. The Developer tab will now appear on your main ribbon, giving you access to all content controls.

Can I recover the interactive date picker if I already saved it as an ODT file?

If the document was saved as an ODT and closed, the interactive part of the date picker control is usually permanently lost and replaced with a text placeholder. You will need to save the file as a DOCX and reinsert the date picker control manually from the Developer tab.

Do other content controls have the same issue when saving as ODT?

Yes. While some basic text controls might survive the conversion, complex interactive controls like drop-down lists, combo boxes, and building block gallery controls will generally lose their functionality when the document is saved in the ODT format.

Document & File Issues