Inserting the current date or other variables into a field

You can insert the current date, time or user name into a field.

After you insert one of these values into a field, that value doesn't change unless you change it. To display a value that updates, place a date, time, or user name symbol on the layout. See Inserting the date, page number, or other variable onto a layout.

To insert the current date, time, or user name into a field:

1. In Browse mode, click the field.

2. From the Insert menu, choose one of the following menu items:

•Current Date to insert the current date in a date, number, text, or timestamp field.

•Current Time to insert the current time in a time, number, or text field. (You can also choose Current Time to insert the current date and time in a timestamp field.)

•Current User Name to insert the current user name as specified in preferences. (To change the user name value, see Setting general preferences.)

Notes 

•FileMaker Pro Advanced can automatically enter values such as dates and times into fields when a record is created or updated. See Defining automatic data entry. If you need to track who creates or updates records in a file protected with accounts, a more secure and accurate method is to automatically enter the account name, because any user can easily change the user name in preferences.

•The current date and time come from the operating system running FileMaker Pro Advanced.

Related topics 

Specifying formats for date, time, or timestamp fields