In some Access tables, it is important to keep track of the date or the date and time when a new record is added. This is often referred to as a date or time stamp. You can use the Now function or Date function to have Access automatically fill in the date or time when a new record is added. Use the Now function to fill in the date and time, or the Date function to fill in just the date.
Add a date or time stamp field
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In the Navigation Pane, double-click the table to which you want to add the time stamp field.
Access opens the table in Datasheet view.
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In the first blank column labeled Click to Add, select Date & Time from the drop-down list of data types. Access creates a new field and then displays a temporary field name.
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Type a name for the field, such as Date Added, and then press ENTER.
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Click File > Save, or press CTRL+S to save your table design changes.
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On the Home tab, in the Views group, click View, and then click Design View to switch to design view.
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In the Field Name column, select your new field.
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Under Field Properties at the bottom of the design view, on the General tab, click in the Default Value property box, and then type Now() or Date().
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Click the Show Date Picker property box, and then select Never from the list.
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Save your changes, and then close the table.
Each time you add a new record to the table, Access automatically inserts the date or the date and time in the Date Added field.
