Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Why can't I change the date format in my documents?

Good Morning. I submitted this question yesterday to the iMac forum but no one could help me. It should be a very simple thing to do but it escapes me.


Using 'Insert Date' brings up the long date format i.e. Tuesday April 16 2013. I prefer the short format 16.04.13.


I have tried to change this by going through the procedure System Preferences > Date Time. The default format in that window is the one I want but it does not appear in my Pages or Numbers documents. I then tried Systems Preferences > language and Text > Region > Customise I made sure I was in the correct region and selected the short date format. Still get the long format in the documents. I can edit this on the fly by right clicking the date but the next time I use 'insert date' it reverts to the long format. Now I'm the first to admit I am probably missing something really simple but could somebody plesae point out to me what it is 'cos it's driving me mad.

Wilf

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3), iMac 11,1 Intel Core i5. 2.66GHz

Posted on Apr 16, 2013 1:24 AM

Reply
19 replies

Apr 16, 2013 8:27 AM in response to wilfredfromcastleford

Hi Wilfred,


System preferences > language & text > region is the correct path. In OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.3, the 'Format' option fruhulda refered to is under Dates > Customize:


User uploaded file


Click on Customize.


I think what fruhulda is suggesting is that you enter a short date into 'Long' and a long date into 'Short'. That change will be system-wide, so remember what you did in case you want to revert!


Regards,

Ian.

Apr 16, 2013 9:04 AM in response to Jerrold Green1

Jerry, thanks for the reply. However I do not get that window that you show where it says set to today and gives you those options which you can tick. If I could try everyones patience a bit further. Opening date and time in system preferences shows the date in the format I want, I didn't put it in that format it was there the first time I opened it and it has not changed but it never appears like that in any document I work on. Going the long way round via Syst. pref > Lang & text > Region > brings up a window with all those options in but greyed out. Proceeding to Customise I get a window with all the different options in which I can alter at will but it makes no difference. Even the First day of the week option always reverts to Monday even though I constantly change it to Sunday. In fact I don't fully understand all the options in that Customise window.

Going out now to buy a quill and a bottle of ink!

W.

Apr 16, 2013 10:08 AM in response to wilfredfromcastleford

Hi Wilfred,


Three issues here.


1. Setting the short and long dates in System Preferences. See fruhulda's answer: Copy and paste to shift the dates position. [Nice one, fruhulda!]


2. Locking those changes in (restart your computer). See Jerry's first answer.


3. However I do not get that window that you show where it saysset to today and gives you those options which you can tick. This has nothing to do with System Preferences. That window is what you get in Pages when you double-click or right-click or Control-click the date object to bring up the options. See Jerry's last answer.


If I could try everyones patience a bit further.

No worries mate.


Regards, Ian.

Apr 16, 2013 10:34 AM in response to Yellowbox

1. Ian, Fruhulda, just tried to do the copy paste trick but am not allowed to do that as copy/paste option is greyed out in 'Edit' on the customize window.

2. I have tried the double-click before, I forgot I had seen that window. Changed the format ok no problem but the next time I do 'insert date time' it reverts to the long format.

3. Selected date/time from Sys pref and with the format I want showing I tried to restart and the mac seized up. Had to do a hard shutdown to get up and running again. Long format still present.

W.

Why can't I change the date format in my documents?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.