How to I change the default date format from DD/MM/YY to DD/MM/YYYY

FairKing · February 3, 2026, 6:33pm

How to change the default date format? It is very annoying in every document, and even in every cell and everywhere it comes out with YY. And even if I change the cells date format (docx or xlsx) next time after I open and change anything it resets back to YY.

Same with numbers. I try to change everywhere to 0.00 but magically it resets me back to 0.##.

I searched all the settings including Tools - Options - Languages and Locales. Nothing there.

Please help. Thanks.

FairKing · February 3, 2026, 6:42pm

Also, with Formula, I am not able to change the format completely.

Please find attached document as an example how do I make it 28.20 (instead of 28.2)???

test.zip (4.9 KB)

Wanderer · February 3, 2026, 8:41pm

At first you have to differ input and output.
The screenshot you show is to configure input options.
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The format for output is set in the formatting of the cell. I use usually the context menu to access this.
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In LibreOffice you create an “empty” document with your formatting and then set this file as your default template, to be used when you create new files.
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And - as also mentioned below - try everything first in native format of LibreOffice. Then you may test, if it is working also in MS-format.

EarnestAl · February 3, 2026, 8:44pm

Three questions in one file:

It seems the .docx format does not save the number format for fields; always use native ODF format and File > Save a copy if you need to send to someone who cannot afford LibreOffice. The field is unnecessary for the example; just enter a = and choose/create a formula. To later edit the formula, click in it and press F2. The formula should update when you leave the cell if you change one of its precedent cells
To use the field for the calculation, save as .odt, then right click the field and select Edit fields. In the dialogue, under Format, choose -1234.57. OK
To apply a number format to a non-field number such as cell B2, select the cell, row, column, or table and click Table > Number Format and again under Format, choose -1234.57. OK

test131686EA1.odt (11.3 KB)

EarnestAl · February 3, 2026, 10:08pm

There is Bug 141001 - 4 digits year in dates by default or user defined default date format in calc

If you are OK with ISO format (YYYY-MM-DD) then you can enter that directly.

To have it display when you press Ctrl+; then you would need to set your Locale setting to English (Canada), Default currency to GBP. But always enter dates as ISO format or you might get US dates. You can leave default Languages as English (UK)

FairKing · February 4, 2026, 6:50pm

In LibreOffice you create an “empty” document with your formatting and then set this file as your default template

I am not sure what do you mean by “document with your formatting”. I just want to display any dates in format dd/mm/yyyy by default. that’s all. Where can I set that default format? In my windows settings it shown the correct format:

and I don’t understand why LibreOffice forces me to use dd/mm/yy. Where is that format coming from?

try everything first in native format of LibreOffice

Yeah, I see, MS-format sucks.

The number format in Writer (odt) started working as expected.
Maybe date format also persisted (ods).

So I think the main issue was because I was using docx and xlsx. Closing the ticket.

FairKing · February 4, 2026, 7:00pm

you would need to set your Locale setting to English (Canada)

In Windows regional settings I do have yyyy. Why libre office simply cannot use the system format instead? Where is that yy format coming from. Who decided to use two numbers in year? That what I don’t understand.

koyotak · February 3, 2026, 7:39pm

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