Windows Notepad: Insert Time and Date into Text or Log File
Notepad is one of window’s best little tools. As I frequently use it with logs, here are a couple of time/date tricks I have learned over the years.
Notepad is simple and full of little tricks. I use it for creating and using log files all the time. Here are a couple of ways to use notepad to automatically insert the time and date.
Automatically insert timestamp everytime a file is opened:
- 1. Open notepad
2. On the first line of the file type this:
.LOG 3. Hit ENTER to insert one carriage return.
4. Save the file
Now… everytime you open the file in notepad, a timestamp will be inserted.
If you are in notepad and just decide you need to add the current timestamp, just hit F5. Easy, huh?








Maggie said on March 3, 2009
How to enter a column with date in notepade
mike ritter said on March 19, 2010
love the .log hint
note, i place a plus sign after my entry so the posts are seperated by a good separator.
13chenj1 said on July 10, 2010
how do you undo it…
what if i dont want a timestamp everytime?
Guest said on August 6, 2010
Just delete the .LOG text from your text file, save it, and thats it! ^^
S_skerhut said on September 3, 2010
F5 key
Guest said on November 1, 2010
F5
Guest said on November 1, 2010
F5 key is cool
Richie said on December 8, 2010
Love F5…
Neerajawasthi4 said on April 20, 2011
how it is heppening
SchepperMC said on January 13, 2012
.log is fine