Date field in Writer for automation?

[AZM]

I write a column in which I say this May issue hits your inbox in late April. To update this for next time, I have to manually change “May” to “June” and “April” to “May” in 6 places. Is it possible to use a field to hold “this month” and a field to hold “this month +1” that will automate this update process? I see where the date can be entered and it will update each time the document is opened in Writer.

When I am done with the column editing, I make a PDF of it to share with proofreaders, and of course, that locks the field contents. I also send the .odt file to my editor, in which case I need the fields deactivated to lock the text in place, also. She reads it into her software as a plain text file but uses my .odt as a reference for where I want bold and underline.

This use of fields, if possible, allows me the certainty of not missing a manual change, as well as not making me reinvent the process every month.

Thank you!

PS: I am editing to provide some system information:
Linux Mint 20.2 Cinnamon; LibreOffice version info copied from Help > About:
Version: 6.4.7.2
Build ID: 1:6.4.7-0ubuntu0.20.04.4
**CPU threads: 4; OS: Linux 5.4; UI render: default; VCL: gtk3; **
Locale: en-US (en_US.UTF-8); UI-Language: en-US
Calc: threaded

[ajlittoz]

Very easy.

Insert>Field>More Fields so that you can access the detailed setting dialog.

In Document tab, choose Type Date, Select Date (without the (Fixed) attribute so that it is dynamic) and scroll down Format until you find the month alone. If it is not there, Additional formats allows you to customize to “MMM” for abbreviated month or “MMMM” for full name.

This gives you today’s date. For a related date, enter the number of days to the date in Offset in days. This offset may be positive or negative. I suggest 30 though it may be inaccurate in 31-day months if you’re on the 31st or in near the beginning of March.

[AZM]

Thank you, ajlittoz! Thank you for your step-by-step through the (mine)fields dialog. I am using the “December” month format and I set for this month, and for plus 30 days and plus 61 days to cover the three months mentioned.

I will write each month’s column without the worry about updating this article properly.

Question: I want to submit my column to my editor with the months in plain text, but I want to keep my other formatting. How may I save a copy that accomplishes this? That copy is submitted.

[ajlittoz]

@AZM

but I want to keep my other formatting

Which other formatting? Please be descriptive.

Remark: this was no alternate solution to your problem but an (appreciated) feedback. It should have been expressed as a comment in order not to make other users several solutions have been given.

[AZM]

ajlittoz,
I was referring to keeping underlines and Bold text while making the Date field’s contents Plain text.

I have started a separate question on this point.

This thread, “Date field in Writer for automation?” is solved, but the new thread asks how I can convert the date fields to plain text for PDF and for submission to my publication’s editor.