How to Add a Comma to the Full French Date Format in Office
Question details
The user wants to format dates in a formal French style by including a comma after the day of the week, which is missing from the default format.
- Product
- Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Formatting dates in a document or spreadsheet to meet formal French writing standards.
- Observed behavior
- The default full French date format applies an informal style without a comma (e.g., lundi 1 janvier 2024), whereas the user requires a formal style with a comma.
Ensure your document or spreadsheet is open and identify the specific cells or text fields where you want to apply the formal French date format.
Change the Date Language to French (Canada)
The quickest way to get a full French date with a comma is to switch the locale setting to French (Canada), which natively supports this formal structure.
Regional differences in language formatting mean that while standard French (France) uses an informal date style, the French (Canada) locale includes the comma you need for formal documents.
Highlight the text or select the spreadsheet cells containing the dates you want to reformat.
Right-click your selection and choose 'Format Cells' (in spreadsheets) or navigate to the 'Insert Date and Time' dialog (in word processors).
Locate the 'Locale' or 'Language' drop-down menu and change it from your current setting to 'French (Canada)'.
Select the full date format that includes the comma from the list of available styles and click 'OK' to apply it.
Apply a Custom Number Format in Spreadsheets
If changing the locale disrupts other regional settings or you need a very specific layout, you can manually define a custom date format string.
Submit Feedback for Native Support
If you frequently need this specific format and want it added to the default French (France) locale, submit a feature request directly through the program.
Easily Customize Date Formats with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a highly flexible 'Format Cells' feature, allowing you to quickly switch locales or apply custom date formats, including formal French dates with a comma. It works seamlessly with your existing files.
- 1. Open your file in WPS Office: Launch WPS Spreadsheet or Writer and open the document containing your dates.
- 2. Access cell formatting: Highlight the dates, right-click, and select 'Format Cells' from the context menu.
- 3. Adjust the date locale: Under the 'Number' tab, choose 'Date', set the locale to 'French (Canada)', and pick the format containing a comma.
- 4. Use custom formatting (Optional): Alternatively, select 'Custom' and manually input your preferred formal French date string using the [$-fr-FR] tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't the default French date format include a comma?
The default French (France) date format in most Office suites follows the standard informal style used in everyday French writing, which does not use a comma after the day of the week.
Can I set the formal French date as my default format?
While you cannot overwrite the default built-in French (France) format, you can change your system's region settings to French (Canada) or save a custom format in your document template for repeated use.
Does the custom date format code translate the language of the month automatically?
Yes. If you use a locale prefix in your custom format, such as '[$-fr-FR]', the software will automatically display the day and month names in French, regardless of your system's default display language.
