You can set the default properties for the date field so that they will never have to type the date again. For example, say you use a form based on the Orders table for entering each day's orders as they are processed. Follow these steps: 1  Open the Orders table in Design View.2  Click on the Date field.3  In the Table Properties window, click in the Default text box and enter Date() . 4  Click the drop-down arrow of the Format text box and select Short Date (Figure A). Click on the Date field. 2  In the Table Properties window, click in the Default text box and enter Date() . 3  Click the drop-down arrow of the Format text box and select Short Date (Figure A).