Date-Time

This function block provides the current date and time as a human-readable string. You can choose between several common formats and a filename-friendly variant for saving files.

📥 Inputs

This function block does not have any inputs.

📤 Outputs

Text The current date and time as a string, formatted according to the selected options.

🕹️ Controls

Format Combobox to select output format. Typical choices include:

• Standard (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS)

• Milliseconds (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.sss)

• Iso Format (ISO 8601)

File Name Mode Combobox to select a filename-friendly style. Options include:

• Standard (human-readable string)

• File Name (replaces characters like ":" and spaces so the string can be used as a file or folder name)

🎨 Features

• Multiple date/time formats for different needs (readable text, high-precision timestamps, or ISO standard).

• Filename-safe option that transforms the date/time into a format suitable for file naming without additional processing.

• Simple, no-input operation — returns the current system time on each evaluation.

📝 Usage Instructions

1. Choose the desired output style with the Format control.

2. If you plan to use the output as part of a filename (for saving images, logs, or videos), select the File Name Mode to get a safe string.

3. Connect the Text output to downstream blocks that need time information (for naming files, logging, or annotations).

📊 Evaluation

Each run, this function block reads the system clock and outputs a string formatted according to the chosen Format and File Name Mode settings.

💡 Tips and Tricks

• Use the block together with Image Write or Image Logger to save images with a timestamped filename. Selecting File Name mode will avoid illegal filename characters automatically.

• Combine with Record Video when creating time-stamped recordings to organize files by run time.

• Pair with CSV Export or Data to JSON to add a readable timestamp to exported data rows or logs.

• If you need separate date/time components (year, month, hour, etc.) for conditional logic or display, consider using Date-Time List where available to get structured elements instead of a single string.

• Use String Merge to combine the timestamp with other text (for example, camera ID or experiment name) before writing files with File/Folder Operations or Choose Folder.

🛠️ Troubleshooting

• If filenames created using the timestamp cause errors on save, switch the File Name Mode to File Name to remove or replace characters that are not permitted in filenames.

• If you need higher precision for short-duration events, select the Milliseconds format.

• If downstream blocks expect a specific timestamp format, verify the chosen Format matches that expectation and adjust accordingly.