---
title: "Configure date fields"
slug: "configure-date-fields"
updated: 2026-04-29T16:59:52Z
published: 2026-04-29T16:59:52Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.quickbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configure date fields

Date fields don't look or behave the way you want? Take control by editing the Date field's properties.

## Set the default date to be today

When users fill out a data-entry form, you can help them out. Have Quickbase automatically enter today's date in a date field. The program doesn't prohibit other dates from being entered, it gives users a head start. To automate this entry: On the field's Properties page, next to **Default value**, turn on the **Today** checkbox.

> [!NOTE]
> Tip: Users entering data in Quickbase can also take a shortcut. In any date field, press the "t" key. When you do so, Quickbase enters today's date. You can also use the keyboard to go back or forward one day. If there's a date in the field, select it and press "[" to change the value to the day before the existing date, or press "]" for the day after.

## Change the date format

Quickbase automatically displays dates in the following format: *07-05-2011*. You can format the date differently, if you want. To do so, select one or more of the following options under **Format** within the **Display** section:

- **Show the month as a name** results in this format: *JUL-05-2011*
- **Show the day of the week** inserts the day of the week in front of the date. You'll see something like: *Tuesday, 07-05-2011*
- **Don't show the year for dates in the current year** shows the date in the following format: *07 5, 2011*. That may not look so smart, but the appeal of this format doesn't lie in its looks. This date display is intelligent enough to know what year it is. If a date falls in the current year, the date display leaves the year out. If a date falls in any other year, the year appears.

> [!NOTE]
> Tip: If you want to display the date in this format: date as: *JUL 5, 2011*, turn on both the **Show the month as a name** and **Don't show the year for dates in the current year** checkboxes. But remember, only dates that are not in the current year will show the year, and dates in the current year look like this: *JUL 5*.