Can we insert current date in InDesign

[ashimg23377171]

Hello

I am working on a document where I wish to insert the current date. I was exploring text variables. But I can't spot any option for inserting the current date.

Any guidance on how to carry this out would be appreciated.

Thanks

[amaarora · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Try Create and edit text variables in InDesign  again.

Type>Text Variables>Modification or Output Date

You can modify the variable by editing it

Modification Date inserts the date or time the document was last saved to disk; Output Date inserts the date or time the document starts a print job, exports to PDF, or packages the document. You can insert text before and after the date, and you can modify the date format for all date variables.

-Aman

[ashimg23377171]

ah... got it... .thanks a lot, Aman. really appreciate your guidance here.

Thanks

[mave1969]

While it appears the original poster was satisfied with this answer, it didn't actually answer their question.

I, too, would like to know how to insert the current date. That is, a date which is variable according to when it was originally inserted, but which then stops being dynamic. It's not always possible or useful to tie such a thing to the filesystem. You may be simply updating an existing file, in which case 'date created' is not what you want, and also you don't want the date constantly updating every subsequent time you update it, so 'date modified' is also unsuitable.

This is still currently not possible with InDesign 2021.

[Maged5C1B]

I wish that we can get an answer for that! It will be a valuble addon!

[Kyle25599063f0ik]

Sad to see that no one has answered this. it would be incredible to have dynamic changes freeze after a criteria is met. Would literally save me so much cumulative time.

[mave1969]

InDesign 2024. Still not possible.

[leo.r]

InDesign 2024. Still not possible.

By @mave1969

While this option isn't in InDesign (as far as I understand), there are plenty of third-party tools that can allow you to insert the timestamp in your desired format, which will remain static in InDesign. On Mac I'm aware of Keyboard Maestro and TextExpander (not free but worth every penny anyway), and I'm sure there are free tools, too. Also, can be easily achieved with a script.

[handsdeb2]

This was helpful. I created a new modification variable with a new name to use in letters (with no doc open). The new name appears in the edit menu, but not in the insert variable list when I go to use it in a new document. Is there a way to make it "stick"?

[handsdeb2]

Update to previous post: It disappeared from the edit menu now. I'd like to make it something that's available all the time.

[Barb Binder]

Hi @Kyle25599063f0ik:

It sounds like you would like to have access to a variable that would pick up the insertion date and not change? Variable Date at Insertion or similar? That's not really a variable—variables are used for content that will change—but on that note, neither is the creation date variable so maybe that logic will help you on your quest to get this added.

In any event, this is the Community Forum, staffed by volunteers who are experts with the software. We are users like you, and our job is to explain how features work. Adobe has a different site for feature requests and bug reports: please log all feature requests here: https://indesign.uservoice.com/. Feature requests pick up steam based on votes—if enough people care about a particular request and vote for it, then Adobe evaluates it for inclusion in a future release. 

In the meantime, this is likely something that can be easily scripted, even if it is never added to a future release. You might want to start a new post here with this as the question (since you tacked onto an old post and the OP marked their question as answered). Be sure to add the scripting tag so that those with the skills to help will see it.

Note: sometimes they charge for the service and other times they don't. I suspect it depends on the complexity of the task and how long it takes them to complete it.

~Barb