Timestamp Component
Use the Timestamp component to get the current server time at the exact moment it is executed in a workflow. It provides a precise, standardized timestamp essential for logging, measuring durations, and creating time-based records.
Why this matters
What You’ll Configure
Step 1: How It Works
The Timestamp component is straightforward. It has no settings to configure; it simply activates when triggered by the workflow and provides a single output.
Input
Input | Required? | Description |
---|---|---|
Trigger | Yes | Initiates the component's operation. Any value connected to this input will trigger it. |
Output
Output | Description |
---|---|
Timestamp | The server timestamp, formatted as a Unix epoch timestamp in milliseconds (e.g., 1713523863530 ). |
What is a Unix Timestamp?
Best Practices
- Create Timestamps for Logs: Place this component at key stages of your workflow to log when specific events happen.
- Measure Durations: Place one
Timestamp
component at the beginning of a process and another at the end. Use a Code Component to subtract the start time from the end time to calculate the duration. - Generate Unique IDs: Combine the
Timestamp
output with other data to create unique identifiers for transactions, records, or filenames. - Record Event Times: When an event occurs (like an API call is received), use the
Timestamp
component immediately to capture the precise time of the event.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your timestamp seems incorrect...
What to Try Next
- Use a Code Component to format the raw millisecond timestamp into a human-readable date string (e.g., "2024-10-26 at 5:30 PM").
- Log the
Timestamp
output to a database or a Google Sheet alongside other event data to create an audit trail. - Combine the timestamp with a user ID and hash it using the Hash Component to create a unique, reproducible session identifier.