Writing & StyleStyle guide
Month Abbreviations in Dates
Month names are normally written in full in running prose, while abbreviated forms are useful where space is limited. Microsoft’s house style uses three-letter forms such as Jan, Feb, and Sep without periods.
Prefer full month names in ordinary prose; when space requires abbreviations, use a consistent approved set for the chosen style.
Key details
Core Issuemonth-name abbreviation is a space/style decision, not a change to the date itself
Phrase Roledate abbreviation convention
Registerprofessional, technical, and interface writing
Important caveats
Abbreviation Boundary
Its constrained-space forms are three-letter month abbreviations without periods; other style guides may differ.
Full Form Boundary
Microsoft recommends full month names unless space is extremely limited.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Date and time terms — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Microsoft house style for AM/PM and human-facing time notation