SaveDate field in Word 2003 Template

[Jackie D]

I think I have a problem with the Save Date field in Word 2003. Can someone
help?

I am creating a new document template (which I have saved as 'name'.dot).
While I was deciding on formatting, I printed out a couple of pages so I
could see what they looked like. Once I printed, I noticed that the date had
gone from 00:00:00 to the current date. I didn't think the date was supposed
to change until I saved it as a document and certainly not when I print. Have
I got it wrong? As it it a template, I wanted the date on each new template
to start at zero until the point at which I saved it.

 

[Margaret Aldis]

The saved date is changed when you save. The Savedate field is updated (to
the last saved date) when fields are updated - it's usual to have the Print
options set so that fields update before printing, so that is what you are
seeing.

If you are working directly on the template (.dot) file, then it will have a
saved date of the last time you saved the .dot file. When you work on a new
document you should create it New from the template - *not* by opening the
template and resaving. If you do this the new document will appear as
"Document 1" or similar in the title bar, and will have its own saved date
(00:00:00 until the first save.) You will probably find the SaveDate field
in the new document will be automatically updated in the new document to
show this, though it is possible that you may see the saved date of the
template until you explicitly update fields.

 

[Jackie D]

Thank you Margaret for your comprehensive answer. I understand what's
happening now.

 

[Margaret Aldis]

Glad you got it sorted