WD2000: Two-Digit Year in Form Field Is Interpreted with 1930-2029 Date Range (209727)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q209727

SYMPTOMS

When you type a date into a text form field, you may inadvertently omit the century digits from the year. If you do this, Microsoft Word automatically determines the century to use for the date, and the result may be unexpected.

CAUSE

This behavior is by design. Microsoft Word uses specific rules to determine which century to use for the year in a date.

MORE INFORMATION

When you type an abbreviated two-digit year into a date text form field, Word evaluates abbreviated digits 00 - 29 as the year 2000 through 2029 and the digits 30 - 99 as the year 1930 - 1999, respectively.

To type a date that is before January 1, 1930, or after December 31, 2029, you MUST type the full four-digit year and specify a four-digit date format for the text form field. For example, to use the date July 4, 2076, type "7/4/2076" (without the quotation marks).

To specify a four-digit year format for a date text form field, use the following steps:

  1. Unprotect your form document.
  2. Double-click the Date form field.
  3. In the Text Form Field Options dialog box, set the Type to Date and select a Date format from the list that includes "yyyy" as part of its format.
  4. Click OK to close the Text Form Field Options dialog box.
  5. Protect your form document.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/6/2000
Keywords:kbprb KB209727
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