<start a new line after writing a date, to stop it from putting in that day's date?>

I'm afraid I don't really understand the Windoze version of Word, but I suggest you will only get the unwanted "full date" if you hit Return immediately. Eschew this and you will probably have no problem. E.g. just go somewhere else in your document and come back later! Or do whatever you need to do in Windoze to avoid "Return" . Bill Gates, you have a lot to answer for!

Rgds, lusy