How to Display an Ordinal Date from a Word Date Picker
Question details
The user wants to format a date selected from a Word Date Picker Content Control so that it displays with an ordinal suffix (e.g., January 1st).
- Product
- Word Processing Software
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to apply an ordinal date format to a Date Picker form control for formal document styling.
- Observed behavior
- Word's built-in dropdown options for date formatting do not include ordinal dates, and toggling field codes (Alt+F9) does not reveal or affect Content Control formatting.
Ensure your document is saved as a Macro-Enabled Document (such as .docm), as you will need to run a VBA script to dynamically add the ordinal suffixes to the selected date.
Use a VBA Macro to Apply Ordinal Suffixes
Since there is no built-in dropdown option for ordinal dates in Content Controls, you must use a VBA macro to read the date and append the correct suffix dynamically.
Pressing Alt+F9 only toggles traditional field codes and has no effect on modern Content Controls. To apply ordinal suffixes (st, nd, rd, th) to a Date Picker, a custom script is required to intercept the date selection.
Navigate to the Developer tab on your ribbon and click on 'Visual Basic' to launch the VBA Editor.
In the Project Explorer panel, double-click on 'ThisDocument' to open the code window specifically for your active document.
Paste a VBA script that utilizes the 'Document_ContentControlOnExit' event. The script should read the selected date, calculate the correct day suffix, and rewrite the Date Picker text.
Close the VBA editor, select a new date from your Date Picker Content Control, and click outside the control to trigger the macro and format the date properly.
Create Professional Forms and Documents with WPS Office
If you frequently work with complex document forms, macros, and intricate formatting, try WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and user-friendly environment for editing professional documents.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing document containing the Date Picker and macros.
- 3. Enable Developer Tools: Access the Developer tab to seamlessly manage your macros and form controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Alt+F9 show the code for the Date Picker?
Alt+F9 is a shortcut used exclusively to toggle traditional Word Field Codes. Date Picker Content Controls rely on a different underlying XML structure, so they are completely unaffected by this shortcut.
Can I type the ordinal date manually instead of using a date picker?
Yes. If your document does not strictly require a restricted Content Control form field, you can type the date (e.g., January 1st) manually. Word processing software often automatically auto-corrects and superscripts the ordinal suffix.
Do Date Picker Content Controls support custom date formats?
Yes, they support standard custom date formatting strings (such as 'MMMM d, yyyy') within their properties menu. However, standard formatting switches do not include a dynamic variable for ordinal suffixes.
