This article explains how to use HeSoft Doc Batch Tool to batch modify the modification time in file system properties, suitable for scenarios where you need to unify the modification dates of multiple file types such as txt, docx, xlsx, pptx, json, and xml. The article combines before-and-after effect diagrams and software operation screenshots to illustrate the complete workflow from entering the function, importing files, setting the modification time, to executing the processing, helping users reduce inefficient operations like right-clicking to modify properties one by one or repeatedly saving files.
When organizing project materials, archiving delivery documents, unifying training materials, or processing historical documents, many users encounter a seemingly simple but very time-consuming problem: inconsistent modification times in the system properties of a batch of files. For example, a single folder might contain txt text files, Word docx documents, Excel xlsx spreadsheets, PowerPoint pptx presentations, and also md, json, xml files, whose modification dates might be distributed across different years and times. Manually opening, re-saving, or trying to process them through system properties is not only inefficient but also prone to omissions. This article aims to address the need to "batch modify the modification time in file system properties" and demonstrates how to use the office software HeSoft Doc Batch Tool to unify the modification time of multiple files to a specified time at once.
HeSoft Doc Batch Tool is positioned as a batch file processing software for office scenarios, suitable for handling large numbers of documents, spreadsheets, presentations, text, and other common files. Using the example files in the screenshots, this article shows that the modification dates of these files are different before processing, and all are unified to the same modification time after processing. The entire operation revolves around the "Modify Time in File System Properties" function, focusing on reducing repetitive work and making file organization, material archiving, and delivery checks more efficient.
Applicable Scenarios: When do you need to batch modify file modification times?
Batch modifying file modification times is not about changing file content, but about unifying file system properties to facilitate sorting, archiving, retrieval, and delivery. In Windows File Explorer, the "Date modified" is often an important basis for users to judge the age of a file and organize the sequence of materials. If a batch of files comes from different sources, their modification times may be chaotic due to downloads, copies, edits, migrations, etc., making subsequent searching and management troublesome.
Common scenarios include: First, when archiving project materials, the modification dates of the same batch of delivery files need to be unified to the project completion time, making it easier for clients or team members to identify. Second, after updating training courseware, policy documents, or template files, the modification times of doc, docx, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx, txt, md files need to be unified to avoid displaying too many historical times in the file list. Third, in testing or demonstration environments, a batch of files with the same modification time needs to be constructed for verifying sorting, synchronization, or backup rules. Fourth, after collecting files from different computers, network drives, or compressed packages with inconsistent modification times, unified organization is needed.
If there are only two or three files, manual processing is acceptable; but when the number reaches dozens, hundreds, or even more, repeated operations will significantly slow down office efficiency. HeSoft Doc Batch Tool provides a streamlined interface for batch file processing, allowing you to import files with various extensions at once and then centrally set the system time properties that need to be modified.
Effect Preview: Comparison of Modification Dates Before and After Processing
Before Processing: Inconsistent Modification Dates Scattered in the Same Folder
From the pre-processing screenshot, you can see that the folder contains files like 1.txt, 2.docx, 3.md, 4.md, 5.xlsx, 6.json, 7.xml, 8.pptx, 9.txt, 10.docx. Their "Date modified" is not uniform; some show 2016, some 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and also 2025. For office scenarios requiring time-based sorting or unified archiving, this state makes the file list look cluttered.
This issue of inconsistent modification dates is very common when merging files from multiple sources. For instance, a Word document might come from a colleague's email, an Excel spreadsheet from a historical project, a PPT file from old courseware, and txt, json, xml files from system exports. The file content might already be organized, but the system properties still retain their original modification times. At this point, if the goal is to display a specified unified modification date, you need to batch modify the "modification time" in the file system properties.
After Processing: Modification Dates of Multiple Files Unified to the Same Time
The post-processing screenshot shows that the "Date modified" of this batch of files in Windows File Explorer has been uniformly displayed as 2026/6/12 15:35. Whether txt, docx, md, xlsx, json, xml, or pptx, the modification dates are all consistent, making the file list clearer and subsequent time-based sorting, archiving, or delivery checks more convenient.
It should be noted that the software's settings interface allows time to be precise to the second, for example, set to 2026-06-12 15:35:07 in the screenshot, while the file explorer list view might only display down to the minute. Therefore, seeing 2026/6/12 15:35 in the final list is normal. As long as the modification time in the file properties has been updated according to the settings, it indicates that the batch processing has achieved the desired effect.
Operation Steps: Using Office Software to Batch Modify Modification Time in File System Properties
Step 1: Enter the "File Organization" Category and Select the Corresponding Function
After opening HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , you can see multiple office processing categories on the left, such as File Name, Folder Name, File Organization, Word Tools, Excel Tools, PowerPoint Tools, PDF Tools, Text Tools, etc. Since this requirement is to modify the file's system property time, not the file content or renaming the file, you should enter the "File Organization" category on the left.
In the File Organization function cards, find "Modify Time in File System Properties". The description on this function card in the screenshot is "Batch modify the creation time, modification time, and access time of any file's operating system properties." This article only demonstrates modifying the "modification time" among them, but from the interface, it's clear that this function is centered around batch processing file system property times.
The operational goal of this step is to enter the correct batch processing entry point. Many users mistakenly think that "modifying file modification date" requires opening the file content and re-saving it. In fact, the modification date in the file list belongs to file system properties, and using a dedicated batch processing function is more direct and more suitable for processing files of different formats like txt, docx, xlsx, pptx, json, xml, etc.
Step 2: Add Files to be Processed and Check the Record List
After entering the "Modify Time in File System Properties" function, the interface displays a step-by-step process. The first step is "Select records to be processed". Buttons like "Add Files", "Import Files from Folder", "Clear", and "More" can be seen in the upper right corner of the page. Depending on the number and storage location of files, you can choose to add files individually or import them from a folder. In the screenshot example, 10 files have been imported, and the bottom of the table also shows a record count of 10.
After importing, the table lists information such as sequence number, name, path, extension, creation time, modification time, etc. It is recommended to focus on checking three items here: first, whether all file names are in the list, e.g., whether 1.txt, 2.docx, 5.xlsx, 8.pptx, etc., have been imported; second, whether the paths are correct to avoid processing files with the same name in other folders; third, whether the current modification times match expectations, confirming that they are indeed the files that need modification.
If there are files in the list that do not need processing, they can be removed according to the operation column in the interface; if there's an import error, you can also use "Clear" to add them again. Checking the record list before batch processing is an important step to avoid misprocessing. For important files such as office materials, contract documents, and project files, it is recommended to back them up before operation to ensure rollback is possible later.
Step 3: Enter Processing Options, Only Enable "Modification Time" and Set a Fixed Time
After confirming the file list is correct, click the "Next" button at the bottom to enter the second step "Set processing options". On this page, you will see three time items: Creation Time, Modification Time, Access Time. Since this article's goal is to batch modify the modification time in file system properties, you need to enable the "Modification Time" item, while keeping the Creation Time and Access Time off. This way, the processing will only affect the modification time, avoiding impacts on other system properties.
In the screenshot, "Modification Time" is already enabled, and the type is selected as "Fixed Time". Fixed time is suitable for unifying all files to the same modification date, such as a project archiving time, material release time, or delivery time. The time input box example is 2026-06-12 15:35:07, indicating that the modification time of this batch of files will be set to this specific time point. You can also see a "Random Time" option in the interface, but since this article's scenario is about unifying file modification times, choosing Fixed Time is more aligned with the goal.
The expected outcome of this step is: the software now knows which system time property to modify and what fixed time to change it to. After completing the settings, continue clicking "Next" to proceed with the subsequent save location setting and start processing steps as guided by the wizard. Since the screenshots already show the "Set Save Location" and "Start Processing" steps on the progress bar, users just need to follow the wizard to continue.
Step 4: Complete Processing and Verify Results in File Explorer
After processing is complete, go back to the folder containing the files and check the "Date modified" column in Windows File Explorer. You should see that the imported and processed files now uniformly display the set time, such as the example's 2026/6/12 15:35. It is recommended to sort by the "Date modified" column for checking. If this batch of files is concentrated in the same time period, it indicates the batch modification was successful.
When checking, you can randomly select a few files of different formats, such as docx, xlsx, pptx, txt, json, xml, to confirm they have all been updated. Since this function processes file system properties, it applies to files with different extensions, not limited to Word or Excel. This is very practical for mixed-format folders.
Frequently Asked Questions and Notes
1. What is the difference between modification time and creation time?
Creation time typically indicates when the file was generated or copied in the current file system, while modification time typically indicates the last time the file content or file properties were changed. This article demonstrates modifying the "modification time," which is the common "Date modified" in Windows File Explorer. If you only need to unify the modification date displayed in the list, do not enable creation time or access time simultaneously to avoid unnecessary property changes.
2. Why is it set to the second, but File Explorer only displays down to the minute?
Under different views or system settings, File Explorer may only display down to the minute in the list, without directly showing seconds. The software interface allows inputting a more precise time, but the final File Explorer display might be simplified to the minute level. This is a difference in display method and does not indicate processing failure.
3. Can doc, docx, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx be processed together?
From the screenshot example, you can see the list contains docx, xlsx, pptx, txt, md, json, xml files simultaneously. This function targets the time in file system properties, not a specific document content format, so importing multiple extension types in the same batch is reasonable. During actual operation, it's still recommended to check file paths and record counts first to ensure the processing targets are correct.
4. Is a backup needed before batch modification?
A backup is recommended. Although this operation targets system property time, not directly editing the document body, batch processing will affect multiple files at once once executed. For important files like contracts, financial spreadsheets, and project delivery materials, copying a backup folder first is a more prudent office habit.
Summary: Reducing Repetitive Labor in File Property Organization with Batch Processing
The core value of batch modifying the modification time in file system properties is turning the repetitive labor of checking and processing each file individually into a process of one-time import, unified setting, and batch execution. With HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , users can import various files like txt, docx, xlsx, pptx, md, json, xml into the same interface, check the current creation and modification times, then enable only the "Modification Time" that needs processing, set a fixed time, and complete the batch operation.
If you are organizing project archiving materials, unifying modification dates for office documents, or need a batch of files to display the same modification time in File Explorer, you can follow the steps in this article. First, confirm the pre-processing status, then set the modification time through the software, and finally return to the folder to verify the processing results. This can both improve file organization efficiency and reduce omissions and errors caused by manual operations.