Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Word Date and Time Picker Showing 12:00 AM

Maira Mehtab Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know why the Word date and time picker defaults to 12:00 AM and how to correctly insert the actual current time into a document.

How to Fix Word Date and Time Picker Showing 12:00 AM

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Inserting the current date and time into a Word document using the built-in Date Picker content control.
Observed behavior: The picker inserts the correct date but always displays 12:00 AM or 00:00 for the time, regardless of the selected format.

Before you start

Understand that the default Content Control Date Picker in Word is primarily designed for selecting calendar dates, not for capturing the exact current time.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the 'Date & Time' Text Feature Instead

Since the Date Picker content control cannot capture the exact time, use Word's traditional Date & Time insertion tool for accurate time entries.

Microsoft Word provides a dedicated feature for inserting both the current date and time simultaneously as plain text or an auto-updating field, bypassing the limitations of the Date Picker.

Navigate to the Insert tab

Open your Word document and click on the 'Insert' tab located in the top ribbon.

Select Date & Time

Look for the 'Text' group on the right side of the ribbon and click on the 'Date & Time' icon.

Choose your format

In the dialog box that appears, select a format that includes both the date and the specific time.

Configure update settings

Check the 'Update automatically' box if you want the time to refresh whenever the document is opened, then click 'OK'.

Use the 'Date & Time' Text Feature Instead

Static vs Dynamic Time: If you leave the 'Update automatically' checkbox unchecked, the inserted time will remain static exactly as it was when you inserted it.

Solution 2

Insert the Current Time Using Field Codes

Use Word's Field code functionality to manually insert a dynamic time field that accurately reflects the current time.

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3. Insert accurate time: Go to the Insert tab and click 'Date and Time' to easily add the exact current time into your document.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the Word Date Picker content control show the current time?

No, the built-in Date Picker content control in Word is strictly designed for selecting calendar dates. It cannot automatically capture or display the current time, which is why it defaults to 12:00 AM or 00:00.

How do I get the time to update automatically when I open the document?

You can use the 'Update automatically' checkbox in the Insert > Date & Time menu, or use the TIME field code (by pressing Ctrl+F9 and typing TIME). This will refresh the time whenever the document is opened or printed.

Is there a macro to insert both the date and exact time?

Yes, you can create a simple VBA macro using the Now() function. This allows you to bind a keyboard shortcut to insert a static text string containing both the current date and the exact time into your document instantly.

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