Date/Time Fields

Date/Time fields store date and time values. Date/Time fields can display the date only, date and time, time only, or elapsed time.

The following information applies to Date/Time fields:

Date/Time values are stored in the DBMS native date data type.
Values for Date/Time fields set to record time only or elapsed time are stored as integers. Assuming a default value of "Now", the value stored in the database is equal to the number of seconds that have passed since 12:00:00 a.m. in the submitter's or modifier's time zone.
The system interprets Unix time in Date/Time fields that are not set as elapsed time fields. For example, if users enter 09092008 into a Date field, the date is saved as 04/16/1970. The date entered was interpreted as Unix time, which is seconds since Jan. 1, 1970.

Attributes

The following Date/Time field attributes can be modified for default fields in projects and transition fields. Attributes set for fields in the Default Fields list apply to all transitions; attributes set for fields for a transition apply only to that transition.

Allow Override
For projects, select this check box to override field properties inherited from the parent project or workflow.
Required
Indicates that users are required to provide a value for this field. If a value was previously set for the field, the field label appears in green, italic text on forms.
Allow Mass Update
Indicates that the field is available when users mass update items in a project. Mass updates allow users to simultaneously transition, update, or delete multiple primary items and to simultaneously update or delete multiple auxiliary items.
Read Only
Indicates that users can view but not edit the field.

Defaults

Specify a prefilled value for the field as needed. You can use a special value, such as "Start of Tomorrow," or you can use the calendar to select an exact value.

Display Options

You can view display settings for default Date/Time fields. These settings are defined in SBM Composer and cannot be modified in Application Administrator.

Style
- Date and Time (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss)
- Date Only (mm/dd/yyyy)
- Time of Day (hh:mm:ss)
- Elapsed Time ([d] hh:mm:ss)
Stopwatch
If selected, indicates that elapsed time is recorded between the time a form is opened and closed.
Calculate Days
If selected, indicates that numbers of days are calculated from the provided value and displayed to users.
Show Seconds
If selected, indicates that elapsed time values are displayed in 00:00:00 format.
Note: Seconds are always stored, but are only displayed to users if the Show Seconds check box is selected.

Transition Actions

The following options are available for fields when you are editing a transition and enable you to control field values for the transition. For example, you may want to clear an existing value for a required field when a transition is executed, forcing users to provide a new value. These options apply to all field types for transitions.

Leave Value Unchanged
Select to retain the field's current value when the transition is complete.
Clear Value
Select to clear the field's current value.
Set Value to Default Value
Select to use a default value for the field as the user executes the transition. You can then select a default value.

The following options apply to calculation options for Date/Time and Numeric fields. For details, refer to Calculating Values for Date/Time and Numeric Fields.

Set Value to Calculation
Select this option to define a calculation that executes when the transition is executed, and then select the following options:
- Calculate...
  From the first list, choose to perform the calculation before the Transition form opens, after the open form is submitted, or both.
- First Operand
  Using the guidelines in About Operand Fields and Operator Selection Lists, specify a constant value, field, or date/time keyword to use as the first operand in the calculation. This will be filled with the current value of the first operand. The field selected from the list cannot be the same field as the field being edited, a field that could cause a recursive calculation, a deleted field, or a field in the Not Used section.
- Operator
  Using the guidelines and tips in Calculating Values for Date/Time and Numeric Fields, select a valid operator for the calculation.
- Second Operand
  Using the guidelines in About Operand Fields and Operator Selection Lists, enter a second constant or a valid field. Valid fields for the second operand are dependent on the field type, the first operand, and the operator. If the first operand or operator chosen causes the second operand to be invalid, the second operator is changed to a valid constant. The second operand cannot be the field being edited, a field that could cause a recursive calculation, a deleted field, or a field in the Not Used section.
Empty Operand Fields
Select one of the following options:
- Are Invalid
  Select to require users to provide values for fields used as operands for the calculation before the transition can be completed.
- Skip Calculation
  Select to allow users to complete the transition without providing values for fields used as operands for the calculation. The calculation is skipped if values are not provided.
- Treat as Zero
  Select to perform the calculation and treat empty values in fields used as operands for the calculation as zeros.
Add Calculation to Current Value
Select to add the calculation to the field's current value. This enables you to increment the current value or to calculate the total of the calculation and the current value. This option is only available for Numeric fields and Date/Time fields set to record elapsed time.