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Create date

Function: Create date​

This action allows you to easily generate various types of dates, from the current moment to specific dates in the past or future, or even fixed dates. It's a powerful tool for scheduling events, calculating deadlines, logging timestamps, or setting up date-based conditions in your applications without writing any code.

Input​

  • Type

    • A selection from a dropdown.
    • This determines what kind of date you want to create.
    • Options include:
      • Now: The current date and time.
      • First day of this year: The very first moment of the current year.
      • First day of this month: The very first moment of the current month.
      • First day of a year: The first moment of a specific year you choose.
      • First day of a month: The first moment of a specific month and year you choose.
      • Now minus something: A date and time in the past, relative to now.
      • Now plus something: A date and time in the future, relative to now.
      • Static date: A fixed date you provide.

  • Unit

    • A selection from a dropdown.
    • This specifies the unit of time (e.g., Days, Months, Years) you want to add or subtract from the current date.
    • This input only appears if you select "Now minus something" or "Now plus something" for the "Type".
    • Options include: Nanos, Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, Months, Years.

  • Amount

    • A number.
    • This is the quantity of the chosen "Unit" to add or subtract from the current date.
    • This input only appears if you select "Now minus something" or "Now plus something" for the "Type".

  • Year

    • A number.
    • The specific year you want to use when creating a date.
    • This input only appears if you select "First day of this year" or "First day of this month" for the "Type".

  • Month

    • A number.
    • The specific month (1-12) you want to use when creating a date.
    • This input only appears if you select "First day of this month" for the "Type".

  • Date (yyyy-MM-dd)

    • A piece of text.
    • The exact date you want to create, formatted as YYYY-MM-DD (e.g., 2023-10-27).
    • This input only appears if you select "Static date" for the "Type".

Output​

  • Name
    • A date.
    • This is the variable where the newly created date will be stored. You can then use this variable in other actions.

Execution Flow​

Real-Life Examples​

Example 1: Get the Current Date and Time​

You want to record the exact moment a user submits a form.

  • Inputs:
    • Type: Now
    • Name (Output): SubmissionTimestamp
  • Result: A new date variable named SubmissionTimestamp is created, holding the current date and time (e.g., 2023-10-27T10:30:00Z).

Example 2: Set a Deadline for Next Month​

You need to automatically set a project deadline for the first day of the next month.

  • Inputs:
    • Type: Now plus something
    • Unit: Months
    • Amount: 1
    • Name (Output): NextMonthFirstDay
  • Result: A new date variable named NextMonthFirstDay is created, representing the first day of the month following the current one (e.g., if today is October 27, 2023, the result would be 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z).

Example 3: Find the Start of a Specific Fiscal Year​

Your company's fiscal year starts on January 1st, and you need to find the start date for the 2022 fiscal year.

  • Inputs:
    • Type: First day of a year
    • Year: 2022
    • Name (Output): FiscalYear2022Start
  • Result: A new date variable named FiscalYear2022Start is created, holding the date 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z.

Example 4: Schedule a Reminder for a Fixed Date​

You want to send a reminder email on a specific, unmoving date, like a holiday.

  • Inputs:
    • Type: Static date
    • Date (yyyy-MM-dd): 2024-12-25
    • Name (Output): Christmas2024
  • Result: A new date variable named Christmas2024 is created, holding the date 2024-12-25T00:00:00Z.