How to change or remove the modified date of an Excel file

Which modified date does Excel show?

The workbook stores its own date properties, while Finder shows filesystem timestamps. These do not always agree after downloading, copying or synchronising a spreadsheet. A date in a worksheet cell is separate from both.

Before changing anything, close the workbook and compare the Finder and Excel rows in WordDate. This tells you whether you are correcting the document property, a file timestamp or both.

Change the last saved date on Mac

1. Add a supported .xlsx, .xlsm or Excel 97–2003 .xls workbook to WordDate.
2. Enable Set dates separately and select the Modified / Last Saved date and time you need.
3. Check Created and Last Printed, choosing the values you want for those properties too. Created cannot be later than Modified.
4. Review optional custom date properties. If selected, those extra date fields are updated using your chosen modified date.
5. Select Save a copy or Update original, then click Apply dates.
6. Re-add the output file and compare its embedded Excel dates with Finder.

WordDate applies each selected date to both the file and document properties. If their original values differ, the preview makes that visible before you save. Spreadsheet cells and formulas are left as they are.

Can you remove the modified date instead?

WordDate does not remove date fields. For broader cleanup, supported Windows desktop Excel versions provide Document Inspector under File → Info → Check for Issues → Inspect Document. On a duplicate, inspect document properties and personal information, review the results, and remove only the intended categories.

Follow Microsoft’s platform-specific instructions linked below. Metadata cleanup can affect other workbook information and is not a guarantee that the modified date will remain absent after saving. Reinspect the saved copy. Finder will still have a file modification timestamp.

What happens when Excel saves again?

Excel can update the modified property on a later save. Finish your cell and formula edits before setting the dates you intend to keep. Cloud version history remains outside WordDate’s scope.

Changing workbook dates does not remove comments, author names, revision information or other history. In batch mode, a chosen date sets all supported date properties for that workbook; use the single-file controls when created and modified need different values.