I have waded my way through pages and pages of queries as I am sure the answer is there somewhere. I run Windows XP SP3 with MS Office 2000 Business Edition. I am having to print a large number of documents going back to 2005. Unfortunately on some occasions Word updates to current date which is not what I need. I do not have automatic update checked and it does seem to happen randomly, even on things I have produced this month. I am sure there is a simple answer but how can I overcome the problem so my copies are at the correct date?

Many thanks

Highlight the "field" of the dates. You may find that these particular documents are set as a field as opposed to just typed text. It depends on the "template" originally used for each document.

Thanks Dan

I am an ignoramus as regards "fields" so I would not know where to begin. The documents were not set up as templates just typed as and when needed straight into Word. Will whatever you are suggesting save past documents or will it only prevent the problem in the future? I shall be pleased to do the latter but at present the former is my big worry

Many thanks

The documents were not set up as templates just typed as and when needed straight into Word.

When you start (open) Word to create a document, a template is used for the document structure. This is usually "normal.dot". (This is just a blank page, without any major formatting incorporated.)

If you click FILE, NEW, in your Word Menu Bar, you'll be presented with different types of documents to create. These are the various Templates. These templates can be altered (and saved) so all future documents adhere to the same structure.

Whoever created these documents may have inserted a "field" for the date. (See attached pics for an example)

When I L-Click on my date in the document, it becomes outlined in gray (on the left of the attached), indicating it is a field as opposed to just typed text. If I R-Click on that grayed area, I'm presented with a small menu for updating/altering that field (on the right side of the attached).

Will whatever you are suggesting save past documents or will it only prevent the problem in the future? I shall be pleased to do the latter but at present the former is my big worry

Regarding the past documents; You can remove the field and type in the original date and re-save the document.

For any new documents, you can check/alter your existing template and save it for any new/future documents.

I have to get ready for work, but I'll be back late tonight or tomorrow for any further help if required.

Thanks Dan

Yes I can get the field up but the problem is I cannot re-type the date as I do not know it - presumably because I have had a hard drive failure and had to replace it. No, hurray just had a brainwave - I had a backup of all docs on my external hard drive so I have the created date linked with that so I think I can cope with a change now.

I will just have to be careful with the way I use the date field I guess and ensure it does not update every time I open the letter........ still confused.com!! But thanks for your help