This article is aimed at office users who need to batch adjust the modification times of files such as docx, xlsx, pptx, txt, md, json, and xml, and explains how to modify the modification time in file system attributes using HeSoft Doc Batch Tool . The article covers applicable scenarios, before-and-after comparisons, software operation procedures, and precautions, helping users quickly unify the timestamps of multiple file formats and reduce the repetitive work of manual opening, saving, and individual checking.
In daily office work, file types are becoming more diverse: a project folder might contain Word documents (docx), Excel spreadsheets (xlsx), PowerPoint presentations (pptx), plain text files (txt), Markdown documents (md), as well as data files like json and xml. After organizing file content, many people discover another problem: the system modification times of these files are inconsistent. Some files show 2016, some show 2021, and others show 2024 or 2025. For archiving, delivery, sorting, and version management, this state lacks clarity.
If you open and save docx, xlsx, pptx, or txt files one by one, it is not only time-consuming but also not necessarily applicable to files like json and xml. A more efficient way is to directly batch-adjust the modification time in file system attributes. This article will combine screenshots to demonstrate how to use the office software HeSoft Doc Batch Tool to set the modification time of various file formats to a specified time all at once. The core value of this tool lies in batch file processing, reducing repetitive work, and improving office efficiency, making it especially suitable for scenarios requiring unified file attributes.
Applicable Scenarios: Why Multi-format Files Need Batch Modification Time Adjustment
The most common goal of batch adjusting file modification times is to make the same batch of files display a unified status in File Explorer. For example, after a company updates a set of policy documents, the folder contains docx notices, xlsx checklists, pptx training materials, and txt descriptions. If the modification dates shown for these files vary greatly, recipients might mistakenly assume some files are older versions. After unifying the modification time, the overall folder appears more standardized.
Similar needs arise in project delivery. Final project materials may come from different phases and different personnel, so file creation and modification times are naturally inconsistent. Unifying them to the delivery date or archiving date can help teams quickly identify the organization time of this batch of files during later retrieval. For folders sorted by modification date, unifying the time also prevents key files from being scattered across different positions in the list.
Additionally, scenarios like testing, training, demonstrations, and data migration often require batch adjustment of modification dates. For instance, you might need to prepare a set of sample files that display as being updated on the same day; or after migrating files from an old device, you might want to use a new organization date as a unified identifier. These scenarios are unsuitable for manual individual processing and are better suited for using batch file processing software.
Effect Preview: From Chaotic Times to Unified Display
Before Processing: Different File Extensions Correspond to Different Modification Dates
The before-processing screenshot shows a typical mixed folder containing files like 1.txt, 2.docx, 3.md, 4.md, 5.xlsx, 6.json, 7.xml, 8.pptx, 9.txt, and 10.docx. In the 'Date modified' column on the right, the time for each file is inconsistent: some are in 2016, some in 2019, 2020, 2021, and also 2023, 2024, and 2025. For office materials requiring unified management, this display affects judgment and sorting.
It must be emphasized that chaotic file modification dates do not imply chaotic file content. It simply means the time records in the file system attributes are inconsistent. Especially after files are copied, downloaded, compressed/decompressed, or transferred across devices, time attributes may not match the current organization status. Therefore, using a dedicated function to batch modify system attribute times is more suitable than opening files one by one.
After Processing: Times for docx, xlsx, pptx, txt, etc. Files Unified
In the after-processing screenshot, the 'Date modified' for the same batch of files all display as 2026/6/12 15:35. It can be seen that whether Word documents (docx), Excel spreadsheets (xlsx), PPT presentations (pptx), or txt, md, json, xml files, they have all been unified to the same modification time. As a result, the time column in the folder is neater and more aligned with the requirements of archiving and delivery scenarios.
If you often need to organize a large number of files, this before-and-after comparison can intuitively demonstrate the efficiency of batch processing: there is no need to process each extension separately, nor switch between multiple software applications. You just need to import the files once in the tool and set the modification time.
Operation Steps: Using HeSoft Doc Batch Tool to Set File Modification Times
Step 1: Open the Time Attribute Modification Function in File Organization
After launching HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , enter "File Organization" from the left navigation. In the screenshot, multiple functions related to file management are visible under this category, with the 4th function being "Modify time in file system attributes". The function card description indicates it is used to batch modify the creation time, modification time, and access time in the operating system attributes of any file.
The reason for choosing this function is clear: what this article aims to adjust is the "modification time" in the file system attributes, not modifying file names or editing the content of Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files. Therefore, you should not enter a separate Word or Excel tool, but use the system attribute time function under the file organization category. This can simultaneously cover different format files like docx, xlsx, pptx, txt, md, json, and xml.
Step 2: Add Files or Import Files from a Folder
After entering the function, the page title is "Modify time in file system attributes", and the progress bar shows the first step is "Select records to process". Buttons like "Add File", "Import Files from Folder", "Clear", and "More" are visible in the upper right of the page. If files are scattered, you can select them via "Add File"; if files are concentrated in one directory, you can import them from a folder. The example screenshot shows that 10 files from the D:\test folder have been added to the list.
The fields in the list are crucial: Name is used to confirm the correct file, Path confirms the file's location, Extension shows the file type, and Creation Time and Modification Time confirm the current attributes. The example shows a mix of extensions like txt, docx, md, xlsx, json, xml, and pptx, indicating this batch process flow is suitable for multi-format folders. The summary area at the bottom shows a record count of 10, allowing the user to confirm the scope of this processing.
In practical work, it's advisable to spend a bit more time checking at this step. The advantage of batch processing is speed, but the premise is that the processing targets are accurate. If the import list includes files whose modification time should not be changed, remove them first; if the import quantity is incorrect, re-select the folder or add supplementary files. For important materials, you can first make a backup copy of the folder, then process the backup or confirmed files.
Step 3: Set Processing Options, Only Modify "Modification Time"
After confirming the records, click "Next" at the bottom to enter the second step "Set processing options". The interface displays three items sequentially: Creation Time, Modification Time, and Access Time, each with a toggle switch on the left. The goal of this article is to batch adjust file modification time, so only the "Modification Time" switch needs to be enabled. The screenshot shows the "Modification Time" switch is turned on, while Creation Time and Access Time are not, ensuring this processing only affects the modification time.
In the type settings for modification time, "Fixed Time" and "Random Time" can be seen. If you want the modification dates of all files to be completely consistent, select "Fixed Time". In the example, the time box is filled with 2026-06-12 15:35:07. After setting, this batch of files will be uniformly adjusted to this specified modification time. When displayed later in File Explorer, only the minutes might be shown, i.e., 2026/6/12 15:35, which is normal due to File Explorer's display precision.
The operational purpose of this step is to clearly define the processing rules: the processing target is the 10 imported files, the processing field is the modification time, and the processing method is fixed time. After completing the settings, continue by clicking "Next". The interface progress bar indicates that subsequent steps will enter "Set save location" and "Start processing", and the user just follows the wizard to complete it.
Step 4: Start Processing and Verify Batch Adjustment Results
After completing the subsequent wizard steps and starting the process, wait for the software to finish executing. Once processing is complete, open the file directory and check the results via the "Date modified" column. After processing in the example, all files display as 2026/6/12 15:35, indicating the batch adjustment of file modification times was successful.
When verifying, it's recommended not just to look at one file, but to spot-check various extensions. For example, check files like 2.docx, 5.xlsx, 8.pptx, 1.txt, 6.json, and 7.xml to confirm their modification dates have all been unified. If the number of files is large, you can also sort by modification date and observe whether the processed files are concentrated near the same time point.
Frequently Asked Questions and Notes
1. Is this modifying the document content time or the system attribute time?
From the function name and table fields, it's evident that this function processes the time in file system attributes, including creation time, modification time, and access time. The example in this article only enabled the modification time, so the goal is to change the modification date displayed at the system level, not to edit the main content of the document.
2. Is it necessary to process separately by file format?
No. The same batch of records in the example includes multiple extensions like docx, xlsx, pptx, txt, md, json, and xml. Because the processing target is file system attributes, there is no need to enter different tools for Word, Excel, PPT, or text files separately. As long as the files are imported into the same list, they can be adjusted in batch according to unified rules.
3. Can Creation Time, Modification Time, and Access Time be enabled simultaneously?
The interface indeed shows three time items, but whether to enable them simultaneously depends on actual needs. This article only needed to modify the common modification date in File Explorer, so enabling only "Modification Time" is safer. If you modify creation time or access time simultaneously, it might affect other attribute records of the file. For office archiving, it's recommended to follow the principle of "change only the necessary items".
4. What preparations should be made before batch adjustment?
It is recommended to first confirm the file scope, back up important data, close programs that might be occupying the files, and check the names, paths, extensions, and record count after importing the list. Especially for folders containing important content like contracts, reports, courseware, and source data, a backup can reduce the risk of operational errors.
5. Why do I only see minutes and not seconds after processing?
The software settings box allows input up to seconds, e.g., 2026-06-12 15:35:07; whereas Windows File Explorer typically only displays up to minutes in its list. Therefore, it's normal for it to display as 2026/6/12 15:35 after processing. If you need a more detailed attribute display, you can view it further through the System Properties window.
Summary: Unified Processing of Modification Times for Multi-format Files is More Efficient
Batch adjusting the modification time for files like docx, xlsx, pptx, txt, md, json, xml essentially involves uniformly organizing file system attributes. With HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , users can complete the operation through a clear wizard process: first, enter "Modify time in file system attributes" under File Organization, then import the files to be processed, next, enable only "Modification Time" and set a fixed time, and finally execute the processing and check the results in File Explorer.
Compared to opening files one by one, manually saving them as new copies, or checking repeatedly, batch processing can significantly reduce repetitive work, making it especially suitable for office archiving, project delivery, data updates, and preparing demonstration files. If you also have a batch of files with chaotic modification dates, it's recommended to back them up first and follow the steps in this article, completing the unification of modification times for the entire batch of files with a single setup.