Date updates automatically

[Daniel Louwrens]

Hi

I am using Word 97, I have a Template
which is a read only .doc file,
with a date field which automatically
enters the date when the template is opened, the final document is saved as
a
..doc also.
The problem is that every time the saved file is opened it updates to the
current date.

Is there any way to stop this, either by modifying the template or the saved
document.

thanks

Daniel

 

[Jay Freedman]

Hi Daniel

The only way to stop it properly is to stop torturing Word's
document-creation mechanism. A read-only .doc file is *not* a
template! A template is a .dot file, from which you create new
documents by using the File > New dialog.

If you follow this path, you can place a CreateDate field in the
template. In the template itself, this field will show the date you
created the template. In the documents based on the template, however,
the field will show the date of creation of that particular document.
This will not change, no matter how many times you open, edit, or save
the document.

Any other way of working with Word and date fields is hopelessly
complicated and easy to mess up.

See these articles to get straightened out:

Making a date
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/TblsFldsFms/DateFields.htm

Creating a Template – The Basics (Part I)
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/CreateATemplatePart1.htm

Creating a Template (Part II)
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/CreateATemplatePart2.htm

 

[Daniel Louwrens]

Thanks for your help and advice,
that is what I believed the problem was,
but convinving others is difficult.

regards

Daniel