Two types of date can be inserted into Works, Word, Publisher and many other programs. By default, Word and Publisher simply insert text with the current date. The second type, used by default in Works, is a special field which displays the current date or even time. I like this type of date because I can simply modify a previously written document and have today's date on it. Like you, I have been caught out by the fact the date changes each time it is opened. This is not such a problem in Word because it will store summary information for each document including when the document was created, modified and last accessed (you can view this by selecting Properties from the File menu and clicking the General tab). Works and Publisher do not have such a feature, but if necessary you can see when the file was last modified either through the Windows Explorer or in the Open File dialogue box.

The displayed date will not change if the Automatically update when printed box is unchecked

To insert an unchanging date into a Works document, choose Date and Time from the Insert menu. In the Insert Date and Time dialogue box select the format that you want to use. To ensure the date doesn't change, make sure the Automatically update when printed check box is unchecked.
- Roy Chambers